In short: Vagavurrai is a black tea estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Vagavurrai is a black tea estate located in Kerala, India, at an elevation of 1,369 metres. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), one of the prominent tea producers in the region. It is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,369 metres above sea level, Vagavurrai occupies a mid-to-high elevation zone within Kerala's tea-growing landscape. Estates at this altitude in southern India typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can encourage the development of more nuanced flavour compounds. The latitude of approximately 10°N places the estate in a tropical zone subject to the southwest monsoon, which generally delivers substantial rainfall between June and September.
This combination of elevation and monsoon influence tends to create a growing environment where flush cycles are less sharply defined than in northern India, allowing for a more continuous cropping pattern across much of the year. The cooler nights and misty conditions common at this altitude often favour the production of teas with moderate astringency and reasonable body, though specific outcomes depend on cultivar selection, processing, and seasonal variation.
Tea Produced
Vagavurrai produces black tea. Estates in Kerala at comparable elevations generally yield cups with a balance of briskness and body, often displaying malty or slightly sweet notes without the sharp pungency characteristic of lower-altitude Assam-type teas. The cooler growing conditions at this altitude tend to support a smoother astringency and can contribute to a rounded, approachable character that works well in both blended and single-origin formats. The estate's output is likely to reflect the broader profile of mid-elevation Kerala blacks: accessible, versatile, and suited to the demands of retail buyers seeking consistency.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Vagavurrai is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship positions the estate within the supply chain of a high-volume retail buyer, suggesting that its production meets the quality, consistency, and traceability standards expected by large-scale retailers. The presence of a named UK buyer indicates that at least a portion of the estate's output is destined for the international market, where provenance and supply-chain transparency are increasingly important to both retailers and consumers.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), a significant player in the Indian tea industry. KDHP operates a total of six estates represented in this directory, including Vagavurrai, indicating a portfolio approach to production and supply. The company is known for its presence in the high-range tea districts of Kerala and has a track record of supplying both domestic and international buyers.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Vagavurrai lies at 10.1779, 77.1068 in Kerala, India. Its 1369 m elevation is the 7th highest of 8 estates we map in Kerala. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Gundumalai
- Kalaargold Tea Estate — 4.2 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Chokanad Tea Estate — 7.6 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Thenmallay — 7.6 km away
- Madupatty Tea Estate — 8.3 km away · Mattupetty
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Vagavurrai
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Vagavurrai (1,369 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Vagavurrai recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 99% more than the 1,908 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agarapatana Plantations, Argra Ouvah | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,367 m | 2,792 mm | 22.3 °C |
| Agarapatana Plantations, Albion | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,373 m | 2,299 mm | 23.3 °C |
| Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden | Fort Portal, Uganda | 1,357 m | 943 mm | 27.4 °C |
| NJERU | Box 241 - Meru, Kenya | 1,354 m | 1,229 mm | 24.9 °C |
| Gorkha Tea Estate Pvt Ltd | Sunperpani Fikkal, Nepal | 1,386 m | 2,277 mm | 20.5 °C |
Vagavurrai Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Vagavurrai is wetter than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 86% of the others by elevation; warmer than 86% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Vagavurrai against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Vagavurrai | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,369 m | 1,626 m | 1,088 to 1,972 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,791 mm | 2,995 mm | 2,773 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.7 °C | 21.3 °C | 19.7 to 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.4 °C | 13.5 °C | 11.9 to 16.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Vagavurrai (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Vagavurrai’s coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (825 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.7 °C and overnight lows 15.4 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,791 mm |
| Wettest month | May (825 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vagavurrai located?
Vagavurrai is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.1779, 77.1068, at an elevation of about 1369 metres.
Who operates Vagavurrai?
Vagavurrai is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Vagavurrai produce?
Vagavurrai is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Vagavurrai supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Vagavurrai as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Vagavurrai receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (825 mm).
How does Vagavurrai compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Vagavurrai recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 99% more rain than the 1,908 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].