In short: Dekorai Tea Estate is a black tea producer in the Sonitpur district of Assam, India, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd. and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Dekorai Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Sonitpur district of Assam, India, at an elevation of approximately 84 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically one of the largest tea producers in the world, and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea trader and blender.
Terroir & Climate
At 84 metres elevation and positioned at approximately 26.8°N latitude in the upper Brahmaputra valley, Dekorai sits within the lowland plains characteristic of Assam's tea belt. Estates at this altitude typically benefit from the region's tropical monsoon climate, with warm, humid conditions and substantial rainfall during the growing season. These factors generally favour vigorous growth and the production of leaf with the bold, malty character for which Assam teas are known internationally.
The low elevation and valley location tend to produce warmer microclimates than higher-altitude gardens, often resulting in a longer active growing season. Sonitpur district lies in the northern part of Assam's tea country, where estates typically experience the full influence of the monsoon and the rich alluvial soils deposited by river systems. Such conditions generally support high-yielding plants and the robust, full-bodied leaf profiles that underpin the region's reputation in commodity and branded black tea markets.
Tea Produced
Dekorai produces black tea. Estates in Assam at this elevation typically yield teas with the bold, brisk, and malty characteristics that define the region's orthodox and CTC output. Lowland Assam teas generally offer full body, deep colour, and a straightforward, assertive cup well suited to blending and to markets where strength and consistency are valued. The estate's output is likely to reflect these regional tendencies, though specific processing methods and seasonal variations will influence the final leaf profile.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Dekorai is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated business with tea-trading, blending, and packing operations spanning multiple continents. Finlays sources from a wide network of estates and acts as an intermediary for retail brands, foodservice clients, and private-label contracts. The connection suggests that Dekorai's production enters internationally traded supply chains, where Assam leaf is prized for its blending strength and cost efficiency. Estates supplying firms such as Finlays typically operate at commercial scale and maintain the quality benchmarks and traceability standards required by multinational buyers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Dekorai is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., a company that until recent restructuring was the world's largest private-sector tea producer by acreage. Mcleod Russel built its business on a portfolio of Assam and African estates, many acquired during periods of consolidation in the Indian tea industry. The company operates six other estates in our directory, reflecting its continued presence in Assam despite financial and operational pressures in the sector during the 2010s. Mcleod Russel's estates are primarily geared toward bulk and export markets, where volume, consistency, and recognised provenance remain competitive advantages.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Dekorai Tea Esate lies at 26.8108, 92.9661 in Sonitpur, India. Its 84 m elevation is the 3rd highest of 5 estates we map in Sonitpur. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Dekorai Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Assam
- Majulighur Tea Estate — 12 km away · Majuli Garh 101/156
- Pertabghur Tea Estate — 13 km away
- SESSA M — 19 km away · Assam
- Phulbari Tea Estate — 20 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Dekorai Tea Esate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Dekorai Tea Esate (84 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Dekorai Tea Esate recorded 3,374 mm in 2025, 7% more than the 3,146 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hathikuli Tea Estate | Assam, India | 83 m | 2,735 mm | 29.2 °C |
| SAGMOOTEA | Assam, India | 85 m | 2,851 mm | 29.1 °C |
| Kithulgala | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 83 m | 3,969 mm | 30.3 °C |
| Talma Tea Industries Ltd | Rangpur, Bangladesh | 82 m | 3,066 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Triple Zed Tea Estate Private Limited | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 87 m | 3,108 mm | 29.2 °C |
Dekorai Tea Esate Compared with Sonitpur
In Sonitpur, Dekorai Tea Esate is the wettest of the 5 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 50% of the others by elevation; warmer than 75% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Dekorai Tea Esate against the 4 other estates we map in Sonitpur, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Dekorai Tea Esate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 84 m | 85 m | 81 to 115 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,374 mm | 2,888 mm | 2,821 to 3,338 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.9 °C | 28.8 °C | 28.6 to 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.7 °C | 19.7 °C | 18.9 to 20.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Dekorai Tea Esate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Dekorai Tea Esate’s coordinates recorded 3,374 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (689 mm) and the driest was December (0 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.9 °C and overnight lows 19.7 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,374 mm |
| Wettest month | May (689 mm) |
| Driest month | December (0 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dekorai Tea Esate located?
Dekorai Tea Esate is in Sonitpur, India, at coordinates 26.8108, 92.9661, at an elevation of about 84 metres.
Who operates Dekorai Tea Esate?
Dekorai Tea Esate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Dekorai Tea Esate produce?
Dekorai Tea Esate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Dekorai Tea Esate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Dekorai Tea Esate as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Dekorai Tea Esate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,374 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (689 mm).
How does Dekorai Tea Esate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Dekorai Tea Esate recorded 3,374 mm in 2025, 7% more rain than the 3,146 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].
