Kiko

Kiko is a tea estate situated in the Fort Portal region of western Uganda, operating at an elevation of 1,515 metres. The estate is managed by McLeod Russel Uganda, a subsidiary of the Indian tea conglomerate McLeod Russel. Kiko is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain, and produces both black and green teas.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,515 metres above sea level and positioned close to the equator, Kiko occupies a mid-elevation terroir that typically experiences relatively stable temperatures year-round, with limited seasonal variation. Estates at this latitude and altitude generally benefit from consistent daylight hours and a climate that can support multiple flush cycles annually, though local rainfall patterns and soil drainage tend to play decisive roles in determining the growing calendar.

The Fort Portal region lies in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains and is characterised by volcanic soils and high humidity, conditions that often favour vigorous vegetative growth. Mid-elevation estates in Uganda's western tea belt generally experience warm days moderated by altitude, with cool nights that can help preserve volatile flavour compounds in the leaf. These conditions tend to support a balance between yield and leaf quality, though much depends on varietal selection and field management.

Tea Produced

Kiko produces both black and green teas. Ugandan black teas from mid-elevation estates in the Fort Portal area are typically full-bodied with a smooth, malty character and moderate astringency, often used in blends for their consistency and depth. Green teas from equatorial estates at this altitude can exhibit a fresh, vegetal profile with a gentle sweetness, though processing style—particularly the degree of steaming or pan-firing—shapes the final cup considerably. Both categories tend to reflect the estate's terroir of steady growth and rich soil, though specific cup character will vary by flush and manufacturing method.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Kiko's recorded supply relationship with Morrisons places the estate within the supply chain of one of the United Kingdom's largest grocery retailers. Morrisons sources tea for both own-label and branded lines, and estates supplying the chain are typically expected to meet stringent quality assurance and traceability standards. The presence of a major British supermarket buyer indicates that Kiko's output is oriented toward the mainstream retail market, where consistency, food safety compliance, and competitive pricing are paramount.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

McLeod Russel Uganda is the operating company behind Kiko, part of the McLeod Russel group which has historically been one of the world's largest private-sector tea producers. The company operates four other estates recorded in our directory, giving it a significant footprint in Uganda's tea sector. McLeod Russel's presence in the country reflects long-standing investment in East African tea production, and its estates supply both regional and international markets.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Kiko lies at 0.6546, 30.2801 in Fort Portal, Uganda. Its 1515 m elevation is the joint 2nd highest of 11 estates we map in Fort Portal. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Ankole — under 1 km away
• Bugambe — under 1 km away
• BUZIRASAGAMA — under 1 km away
• Mpanga Growers Tea Factory Ltd — under 1 km away
• MUNOBWA — under 1 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kiko

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kiko (1,515 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kiko recorded 1,251 mm in 2025, 35% less than the 1,910 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
Maturata Plantations, Ragalla Group	Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka	1,517 m	2,694 mm	22.3 °C
RUKERI ORGANIC	B.P Kigali, Rwanda	1,510 m	1,053 mm	26.3 °C
Chamu Tea Garden	Chamu Tea Garden, India	1,508 m	2,552 mm	19.6 °C
Tukdah Tea Estate	West Bengal, India	1,504 m	2,376 mm	20.7 °C
Jersey Tea Estate	Msasa, Zimbabwe	1,526 m	876 mm	24.2 °C

Kiko Compared with Fort Portal

In Fort Portal, Kiko is drier than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 60% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 11 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Kiko against the 10 other estates we map in Fort Portal, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	Kiko	Region median	Region range
Elevation	1,515 m	1,515 m	1,141 to 1,533 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,251 mm	1,251 mm	943 to 1,382 mm
Mean daily high	24.5 °C	24.9 °C	24.5 to 27.8 °C
Mean overnight low	16.1 °C	16.1 °C	15.9 to 18.0 °C

Observed Climate at Kiko (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kiko’s coordinates recorded 1,251 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (168 mm) and the driest was January (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.5 °C and overnight lows 16.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,251 mm
Wettest month	October (168 mm)
Driest month	January (2 mm)
Mean daily high	24.5 °C
Mean overnight low	16.1 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kiko located?

Kiko is in Fort Portal, Uganda, at coordinates 0.6546, 30.2801, at an elevation of about 1515 metres.

Who operates Kiko?

Kiko is operated by McLeod Russel Uganda, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does Kiko produce?

Kiko is recorded as producing black and green tea.

Which buyers does Kiko supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Kiko as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does Kiko receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,251 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (168 mm).

How does Kiko compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Kiko recorded 1,251 mm in 2025, 35% less rain than the 1,910 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].