In short: Behora Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Golaghat, Assam, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd. and recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's.
Behora Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Golaghat district of Assam, India, at an elevation of 90 metres. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., one of the largest tea producers in the world, and is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, the British supermarket chain. The estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 90 metres above sea level, Behora occupies a low-elevation position in the Golaghat district of Upper Assam, a region characterised by the warm, humid conditions of the Brahmaputra valley. Estates at this altitude in Assam typically experience a long growing season with minimal temperature variation, conditions that tend to favour rapid leaf growth and the development of the malty, robust character for which the region is known.
The plains of Golaghat generally receive substantial monsoon rainfall and benefit from alluvial soils, factors that typically support high-yielding tea cultivation. Low-elevation Assam gardens often produce leaf with strong body and bright liquor, though the specific character of any estate depends on factors including clone selection, plucking standards, and processing technique.
Tea Produced
Behora produces black tea. Estates in Golaghat at this elevation typically yield full-bodied, brisk teas with the malty and slightly astringent profile associated with Assam's plains gardens. Such teas are often used in blends for their strength and colour, though the precise cup character depends on the season and manufacturing approach employed by the estate.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Behora Tea Estate is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain for retail own-label tea, a segment that demands consistency, scale, and compliance with retailer ethical standards. Sainsbury's has publicly committed to sourcing tea from certified estates, and Behora's Ethical Tea Partnership certification aligns with those procurement requirements.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
Behora is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically the world's largest tea producer by volume, with an extensive portfolio of gardens across Assam, West Bengal, and Uganda. Mcleod Russel operates six other estates in our directory, reflecting the scale of its Indian holdings. The company has faced financial restructuring in recent years, but its estates remain significant participants in the global tea supply chain.
Certifications & Ethics
Behora Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), an industry body that works with tea producers to improve labour conditions, environmental practices, and community welfare. ETP certification signals to buyers that an estate has undergone independent monitoring against the partnership's standards, covering areas such as wages, housing, health and safety, and pesticide use. For major retailers, ETP membership is often a baseline requirement for responsible sourcing.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Behora Tea Estate lies at 26.6324, 93.7133 in Golaghat, India. Its 90 m elevation is the 203rd highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Numalighur Tea Estate — 4.3 km away · Assam
- Bokakhat Tea Estate — 7.1 km away · Bokakhat
- Hathikuli Tea Estate — 9.4 km away · Assam
- DIFFLOO — 10 km away · Assam
- Bukhial Tea Estate — 16 km away · Golghat
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Behora Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Behora Tea Estate (90 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Behora Tea Estate recorded 2,552 mm in 2025, 18% less than the 3,129 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilwala | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 90 m | 2,875 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Hedigalla | Western Province, Sri Lanka | 90 m | 3,756 mm | 29.4 °C |
| Nya Gogra Tea Estate | No.1 Naya Ghagra, India | 89 m | 2,618 mm | 28.4 °C |
| Addabarie Tea Estate | No.4 Sessa T.E, India | 89 m | 3,338 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Emperial Tea Estate Ltd. | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 93 m | 3,056 mm | 28.8 °C |
Behora Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Behora Tea Estate is drier than 65% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 81% of the others by elevation; cooler than 52% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Behora Tea Estate against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Behora Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 90 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,552 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.3 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.0 °C | 19.2 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Behora Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Behora Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,552 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (491 mm) and the driest was December (4 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.3 °C and overnight lows 20.0 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,552 mm |
| Wettest month | May (491 mm) |
| Driest month | December (4 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Behora Tea Estate located?
Behora Tea Estate is in Golaghat, India, at coordinates 26.6324, 93.7133, at an elevation of about 90 metres.
Who operates Behora Tea Estate?
Behora Tea Estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Behora Tea Estate produce?
Behora Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Behora Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Behora Tea Estate as supplying Sainsbury's.
What certifications does Behora Tea Estate hold?
Behora Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Behora Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,552 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (491 mm).
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].
