state-of-the-art tea farm and factory
In 1975, Tea Importers created Sorwathe Ltd., an award-winning tea factory and tea farm in Rwanda.
For 50 years, Sorwathe Ltd, under Wertheim’s family, has been a pioneer in Rwanda’s tea industry, cultivating the country’s finest teas across 2,130 hectares in partnership with smallholder farmers.
In 2024, Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd, a global leader in the tea industry, has officially acquired Sorwathe Ltd,
The acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Sorwathe Ltd, promising new opportunities to strengthen and expand the legacy of excellence under the Chatterjee family leadership, who has over a century of experience in the global tea industry and that Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd brings a legacy of heritage, sustainability, and quality that perfectly aligns with Sorwathe’ s value.
our farm
Sorwathe Supports Small Rwandan Tea Farmers
Sorwathe’s factory processes tea grown on its farm of 284 hectares, as well as tea grown by two Rwandan cooperatives: 1226 hectares owned by Assopthe Cooperative and 355 hectares owned by Hillside Organic Tea Cooperative. Assopthe and Hill Side Organic Tea Cooperative represent, respectively, over 4700 and 2000 small Rwandan farmers.
Currently, Sorwathe employs over 2,500 Rwandans in its factory and on its farm, and manufactures each year approximately 7.7 million pounds of high-quality black, green, oolong, organic and specialty teas for sale around the world.
come Visit
Sorwathe Guesthouse & Tea Tours
what we archieved
Awards
NORTH AMERICAN TEA CONFERENCE GOLD MEDAL COMPETITIONS
NORTH AMERICAN TEA CONFERENCE SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
2022
Second Place Rukeri Black OP
2022
2019
2019
Recognition – Initiatives on Sustainability – Sorwathe Ltd.
2018
First Place Rukeri Black OP, Rwanda
2016
Recognition – Enabling Girls To Attend School Without Stigma – Sorwathe Ltd.
2017
First Place Rukeri Organic Green OP & Second Place Rukeri Black OP, Rwanda
2016
2015
2014
2013
PARTNERSHIPS
UNICEF & Sorwathe
In 2016, UNICEF and Sorwathe signed an agreement that facilitates access to early childhood development (ECD) and pre-primary services for infants and young children of tea farm and factory workers.
View the Sorwathe and UNICEF Rwanda Partnership story:
OUR IMPACT
Fair Trade Premium Offsets Workers’ Health Insurance Costs
In order to ensure access to healthcare for all its citizens, the government of Rwanda introduced a compulsory health insurance system in 2008. Rwandan nationals are now required to subscribe to one of the several health insurance systems. Citizens must pay an annual premium of RWF 3,000 (approx. $ 2.88) per person which provides access to basic healthcare such as maternity care and treatment for common ailments such as diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, and malnutrition. While donor funding covers part of the fee, individuals still contribute a significant amount to cover the balance.
Taste the Heart
& Soul in Every Sip
you can only find in the green hills of Rwanda.
SORWATHE
Social Responsibility
Transforming Lives Through Tea - Our Ongoing Commitment to Social Responsibility
Education
From 1975 to the present, Sorwathe and Tea Importers have improved the lives of countless Rwandans.
- School Construction
- High School Scholarships
- Computer Literacy
- Adult Literacy Program
- Farmer Field Schools and Extension Services
- English Classes for Children and Adults
ECD
Sorwathe remains committed to improving the lives of people in the surrounding communities through support for education (school buildings and scholarships), nutrition programs for preschoolers, computer labs for secondary school students, and sports. Sorwathe has also partnered with UNICEF to bring early childhood development and day care programs to families in the surrounding communities.
- Daycare Facilities that Focus on ECD (Early Childhood Development)
- Pre-Schools
Health & Quality of Life
Sorwathe was the first tea factory in Rwanda to introduce environmentally friendly policies such as waste recycling and has also been at the forefront of banning child labor and supporting workers’ rights. It was the first private company in Rwanda to sign a collective bargaining agreement with its workers. The factory utilizes sustainable agricultural practices, has two organic divisions, is a participant in the Ethical Tea Partnership, and the estate is Rainforest Alliance Certified™. Sorwathe is a Fair Trade certified producer in Rwanda and Fair Trade also supports the two small tea farmer cooperatives, Assopthe Cooperative and Hillside Organic Tea Cooperative
- PPE, Food, and Income Support During COVID-19
- Nutrition Programs, including Fortified Porridge and Eggs
- Sustainable Menstrual Products for School Girls
- On-Site Medical Clinic
- Cricket and Football Teams for Men and Women
- Access to Potable Water
- Local Road Maintenance
Environment
During a shortage of cooking firewood following the 1994 Genocide, Sorwathe, in partnership with Rotary International, produced and distributed solar-powered cookers and fuel efficient rocket stoves to the local population, and later throughout Rwanda. So as not to compete for firewood with the local population, Sorwathe purchased and continues to sustainably maintain 500 hectares of Eucalyptus forest. These trees prevent deforestation and erosion on the hillsides while allowing Sorwathe to be self-sufficient in fuel. Our management of the forest also creates additional employment in the area.
- Solar Cooker and Fuel-Efficient Rocket Stove Production and Distribution
- Sustainable Forest Maintenance
- Waste Recycling
