MABALE

Mabale is a tea estate located in the Mabale region of Uganda, situated at an altitude of 1,498 metres. The estate is operated by Mabale Growers Tea Factory and produces both black and green tea. It is recorded as supplying the British supermarket chain Morrisons.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,498 metres above sea level and positioned almost directly on the equator, Mabale occupies a mid-elevation zone that typically experiences consistent temperatures and daylight hours year-round. Estates at this latitude and altitude in Uganda generally benefit from steady rainfall and a lack of pronounced seasonal extremes, conditions that tend to support continuous growth and multiple harvests throughout the year. The elevation is moderate rather than high, which usually encourages relatively vigorous vegetative growth while still providing some of the cooler night temperatures that can help develop flavour compounds in the leaf.

Uganda's tea-growing regions are generally characterised by deep volcanic soils and reliable moisture, and the equatorial location means frost is not a constraint. The diurnal temperature variation at this altitude is typically less pronounced than at higher elevations, but sufficient to allow steady photosynthesis during the day and some metabolic rest at night. These conditions often result in a growing environment that favours yield and consistency, though the precise drainage, soil composition and microclimate at Mabale itself will ultimately shape the character of the leaf produced.

Tea Produced

Mabale produces both black and green tea. Black teas from mid-elevation Ugandan estates typically yield a robust, full-bodied cup with a smooth, malty character and moderate astringency, often showing a reddish-copper liquor. Green teas from the same growing environment tend to be mild and slightly grassy, with a gentle vegetal sweetness and less of the sharpness sometimes found in higher-altitude or cooler-climate production. The equatorial terroir generally supports a consistent leaf profile, though processing methods and plucking standards will also play a significant role in the final cup.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Mabale is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the mainstream retail supply chain, where buyers typically seek reliable volumes, consistent quality and competitive pricing. Estates supplying major British supermarkets are generally subject to regular audits and must meet food safety and traceability standards, even in the absence of third-party certifications. The presence of Morrisons as a known buyer suggests that Mabale has the capacity and systems to meet the demands of a high-volume, quality-conscious retail customer.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

Mabale is operated by Mabale Growers Tea Factory. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

MABALE lies at 0.7146, 30.4620 in Mabale, Uganda. Its 1498 m elevation is the joint 12th highest of 30 estates we map in Uganda. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Mabale Growers Tea Factory Ltd — under 1 km away · Fort Portal
• KYENJOJO — under 1 km away
• Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Kiko Factory, Kibale Garden — 7.0 km away · Fort Portal
• Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Mwenge Tea Factory, Rwenzori Garden — 11 km away · Fort Portal
• Kijura Tea Company — 12 km away · Western

Estates at a Similar Altitude to MABALE

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match MABALE (1,498 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. MABALE recorded 1,236 mm in 2025, 41% less than the 2,102 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
Pita Ratmalie Tea Factory	B147, Sri Lanka	1,498 m	2,188 mm	22.5 °C
Thumaita	Kenya, Kenya	1,499 m	1,274 mm	24.0 °C
IKUMBI	THIKA, Kenya	1,500 m	956 mm	25.1 °C
Guderale	Kerala, India	1,501 m	3,791 mm	21.6 °C
Bogawantalawa Plantations, Loinorn	Central Province, Sri Lanka	1,493 m	2,299 mm	23.0 °C

MABALE Compared with Uganda

In Uganda, MABALE is drier than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 59% of the others by elevation; cooler than 62% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets MABALE against the 29 other estates we map in Uganda, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.

Measure	MABALE	Country median	Country range
Elevation	1,498 m	1,416 m	1,070 to 1,808 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,236 mm	1,251 mm	943 to 1,664 mm
Mean daily high	25.6 °C	26.4 °C	23.1 to 29.7 °C
Mean overnight low	15.9 °C	16.5 °C	14.4 to 18.7 °C

Observed Climate at MABALE (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for MABALE’s coordinates recorded 1,236 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (186 mm) and the driest was January (4 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.6 °C and overnight lows 15.9 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,236 mm
Wettest month	April (186 mm)
Driest month	January (4 mm)
Mean daily high	25.6 °C
Mean overnight low	15.9 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is MABALE located?

MABALE is in Mabale, Uganda, at coordinates 0.7146, 30.4620, at an elevation of about 1498 metres.

Who operates MABALE?

MABALE is operated by Mabale Growers Tea Factory, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does MABALE produce?

MABALE is recorded as producing black and green tea.

Which buyers does MABALE supply?

Public supplier disclosures record MABALE as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does MABALE receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,236 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (186 mm).

How does MABALE compare with estates at a similar elevation?

MABALE recorded 1,236 mm in 2025, 41% less rain than the 2,102 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].