Ngaratua Estate

Producer

Ngaratua Estate

Ngaratua Estate was founded in the 1940s and is now run by the third generation of the Muthathai family. Peterson oversees the financial side of the estate, while Purity manages daily farm operations. We met Peterson and Purity on a trip in 2025 and were impressed with the farm management and their focus. They prioritize the farm’s long-term sustainability over short-term yield. They are not afraid to reduce production if it allows them to improve plant health or trial new varieties. This mindset, combined with well-maintained infrastructure and a hands-on management style, makes Ngaratua Estate a reliable and forward-looking partner for us. We started working with them in 2025.

The Ngaratua Estate benefits from cool mountain air and stable growing conditions near Mount Kenya in Embu.

The estate covers around 18 hectares divided into three plots. They are planted with SL varieties but grafted with Ruiru tops. The SL28 variety provides great cherry quality, the Ruiru tops make the trees more resilient and easier to pick and maintain. The cherries are processed on site. After pulping, the cherries undergo an overnight controlled fermentation. Next the parchment is washed and then dried on raised beds. Continuous pruning, selective replanting and recent trials with Batian shows Peterson and Purity’s commitment to the future of the farm. Beyond production, they invest in equipment, infrastructure and people, providing stable work and skills development for those involved in the estate’s daily operations.