In short: DL Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is a tea estate and processing facility in Ninga, Tanzania, operating at 1,770 metres and recorded as supplying Finlays.
DL Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is a tea estate and manufacturing facility located in the Ninga region of Tanzania. Situated at an altitude of 1,770 metres, the estate operates as both a growing operation and a processing centre. Records indicate that the estate supplies Finlays, one of the established participants in the international tea trade. The facility produces both black and green teas.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,770 metres above sea level, Kibena Tea Factory occupies a mid-to-high elevation zone in Tanzania's Southern Highlands tea belt. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than low-elevation sites, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to more complex biochemical development in the fresh leaf. The region's equatorial latitude generally permits year-round growth, though rainfall patterns and cooler months often shape distinct quality windows during the annual cycle.
The Ninga area, like much of Tanzania's tea country, tends to benefit from volcanic soils and reliable precipitation during the main growing months. Mid-elevation sites such as this often strike a balance between yield and character, avoiding both the stress of the highest slopes and the faster, less nuanced growth of low-altitude plains. These conditions typically favour both orthodox black tea manufacture and, increasingly, green tea production destined for regional and international blending markets.
Tea Produced
Kibena produces both black and green teas. Tanzanian black teas from estates at this elevation typically offer a brisk, clean cup with moderate body and a bright, coppery liquor. The profile often falls between the maltiness of Kenyan styles and the lighter, more floral notes sometimes found in teas from higher-altitude East African gardens. Green teas manufactured in this region tend to be processed for export blending, with a vegetal character and a clean, grassy finish that suits both commodity and mid-market applications.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kibena Tea Factory is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated player in global tea sourcing, blending, and distribution. Finlays' procurement networks span East Africa, and its presence as a buyer signals that Kibena's output meets the quality and volume standards required for international branded and private-label supply chains. The estate's dual capability in black and green tea production aligns with the diversification strategies many East African suppliers have adopted to meet shifting demand in both traditional and emerging tea markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory lies at -9.1066, 35.0034 in Ninga, Tanzania United Republic Of. Its 1770 m elevation is the joint 5th highest of 16 estates we map in Tanzania United Republic Of. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory- Njombe — under 1 km away
- KIBWELE — 66 km away · Iringa
- KILIMA — 66 km away · Iringa
- LUGODA — 66 km away · Iringa
- Itona Tea Estate — 69 km away · Itona- Mufindi
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory (1,770 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory recorded 1,053 mm in 2025, 24% less than the 1,394 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUNUNGA | Kerugoya, Kenya | 1,769 m | 1,066 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Kanyenya-Ini Tea Factory Company Ltd | KANGEMA, Kenya | 1,775 m | 1,161 mm | 23.0 °C |
| Kilkotagiri | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,780 m | 1,459 mm | 20.9 °C |
| Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden | Dhankuta Municipality Ward No 1, Nepal | 1,786 m | 2,160 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Nyabihu Tea Estate | NR16, Rwanda | 1,746 m | 1,122 mm | 23.2 °C |
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory Compared with Tanzania United Republic Of
In Tanzania United Republic Of, Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is drier than 73% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 67% of the others by elevation; cooler than 67% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory against the 15 other estates we map in Tanzania United Republic Of, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,770 m | 1,560 m | 7 to 1,963 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,053 mm | 1,094 mm | 628 to 2,554 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C | 21.7 °C | 19.4 to 30.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C | 14.6 °C | 11.6 to 23.7 °C |
Observed Climate at Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,053 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was January (230 mm) and the driest was August (4 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.6 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; December was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,053 mm |
| Wettest month | January (230 mm) |
| Driest month | August (4 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory located?
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is in Ninga, Tanzania United Republic Of, at coordinates -9.1066, 35.0034, at an elevation of about 1770 metres.
Who operates Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory?
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is operated by Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory produce?
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,053 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in January (230 mm).
How does Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory recorded 1,053 mm in 2025, 24% less rain than the 1,394 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
