In short: Ariel is a black-tea-producing estate in Misiones, Argentina, operated by Valmitran S.A. and recorded as supplying the UK supermarket chain Morrisons.
Ariel is a tea estate located in the Dos de Mayo district of Misiones province, Argentina, at kilometre 962 along Route 14. The estate sits at an elevation of 479 metres and is operated by Valmitran S.A. It produces black tea and is known to supply Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 479 metres above sea level and positioned at approximately 27° south latitude, Ariel occupies the subtropical tea-growing belt of northeastern Argentina. Estates at this elevation in Misiones typically experience a humid climate moderated by altitude, with warm summers and mild winters that generally allow for a prolonged growing season. The combination of latitude and elevation tends to produce steady vegetative growth without the extreme temperature swings found at higher altitudes.
The region's red lateritic soils, common to Misiones, are generally well-suited to tea cultivation, though specific soil composition at Ariel has not been disclosed. The relatively modest elevation typically results in a faster-growing leaf compared to high-altitude estates, often yielding a more robust character. Rainfall patterns in this part of Argentina tend to be distributed fairly evenly across the year, which usually supports consistent flush cycles during the warmer months.
Tea Produced
As a black tea producer, Ariel's output is likely processed using full oxidation methods typical of the region. Misiones black teas at this elevation generally yield a straightforward, malty cup with moderate body and a clean finish. The relatively low altitude typically encourages vigorous growth, which often translates to teas with good strength and colour rather than the more delicate, nuanced profiles associated with high-grown leaf. Estates in this region tend to produce teas suited to blending and everyday drinking, though specific tasting notes for Ariel have not been published.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Ariel's recorded supply relationship with Morrisons places it within the procurement network of one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. This connection suggests that at least a portion of the estate's output enters the retail own-label or blended tea market in Britain, a significant destination for Argentine tea exports. The presence of a direct recorded link to a major UK retailer indicates that Ariel's production meets the quality and compliance standards required for European supermarket supply chains, though the volume and duration of this relationship have not been disclosed.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by Valmitran S.A., an Argentine company. No other estates operated by Valmitran S.A. are currently recorded in our directory, and further details regarding the company's history, portfolio, or market position have not been verified.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Ariel lies at -27.0363, -54.6756 in Route 14 / Km 962 / Dos de Mayo () Misiones, Argentina. Its 479 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 16 estates we map in Argentina. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Las Marias North — 22 km away · Aristóbulo del Valle
- J Llorente Y Cias A — 23 km away · Misiones
- Capell — 26 km away · RN14
- Establec.Las Cinco Hermanas Srl — 26 km away · Misiones
- Casa Fuentes — 35 km away · Campo Grande
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Ariel
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Ariel (479 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Ariel recorded 1,831 mm in 2025, 13% less than the 2,106 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tianhua Luoping Tea Industry Co., Ltd. | China, China | 478 m | 1,689 mm | 22.3 °C |
| New Mount Carmel | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 480 m | 3,278 mm | 28.0 °C |
| JAMES VALLEY TEA FACTORY | DOLUWA, Sri Lanka | 484 m | 2,513 mm | 28.2 °C |
| Fujian Sufu Tea Co., Ltd. | Fujian Province, China | 472 m | 1,344 mm | 24.7 °C |
| Casa Fuentes | Campo Grande, Argentina | 442 m | 1,707 mm | 25.9 °C |
Ariel Compared with Argentina
In Argentina, Ariel is wetter than 67% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 93% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 16 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Ariel against the 15 other estates we map in Argentina, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Ariel | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 479 m | 361 m | 173 to 482 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,831 mm | 1,816 mm | 1,707 to 2,073 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C | 26.0 °C | 25.7 to 27.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.1 °C | 16.1 °C | 14.9 to 16.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Ariel (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Ariel’s coordinates recorded 1,831 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (332 mm) and the driest was March (62 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.3 °C and overnight lows 16.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and June the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,831 mm |
| Wettest month | June (332 mm) |
| Driest month | March (62 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ariel located?
Ariel is in Route 14 / Km 962 / Dos de Mayo () Misiones, Argentina, at coordinates -27.0363, -54.6756, at an elevation of about 479 metres.
Who operates Ariel?
Ariel is operated by Valmitran S.A, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Ariel produce?
Ariel is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Ariel supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Ariel as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Ariel receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,831 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (332 mm).
How does Ariel compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Ariel recorded 1,831 mm in 2025, 13% less rain than the 2,106 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].
