In short: Dufflaghur Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Sonitpur, Assam, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd. and recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's.
Dufflaghur Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Sonitpur district of Assam, India, at an elevation of 115 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically one of the largest tea producers globally, and is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, the major British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 115 metres elevation in Sonitpur, Dufflaghur occupies low-lying terrain characteristic of the Brahmaputra valley floor in Assam. Estates at this altitude typically experience the warm, humid subtropical conditions for which the region is known, with substantial monsoon rainfall and minimal temperature variation across the year. Such environments generally support vigorous, rapid vegetative growth and permit near-continuous plucking cycles for much of the season.
The warm temperatures and high soil moisture typical of this elevation tend to favour the production of full-bodied, malty teas with the robust character associated with lowland Assam. The combination of heat, humidity and alluvial soils commonly found in valley-floor estates generally encourages strong, brisk liquors rather than the more nuanced profiles sometimes seen at higher elevations or cooler latitudes.
Tea Produced
Dufflaghur produces black tea. Estates in the Sonitpur district at similar elevations typically yield teas with the bold, malty profile for which Assam is internationally recognised: a full-bodied cup with brisk astringency, deep copper colour, and the robust character favoured in breakfast blends and strong, everyday infusions. The warm growing conditions common to low-elevation Assam gardens generally produce leaf that delivers strength and body rather than delicate aromatics.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Dufflaghur is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. This relationship indicates the estate's participation in the retail-ready, volume tea supply chain, where consistent quality, traceability and the ability to meet buyer specifications are essential. Supplying a major British grocer reflects the estate's integration into established procurement networks linking Assam producers with European consumer markets, and suggests that its output meets the standards required for branded retail tea products sold at scale.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
Dufflaghur is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., a company long prominent in the Indian tea industry and at one time the world's largest tea producer by volume. Mcleod Russel operates six other estates recorded in our directory, reflecting the company's significant footprint in Assam and its role as a major supplier to both domestic and international markets.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Dufflaghur Tea Estate lies at 26.9386, 93.5180 in Sonitpur, India. Its 115 m elevation is the highest of 5 estates we map in Sonitpur. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mcleod Russel India Ltd, Boroi Tea Factory — 5.8 km away · Assam
- Singlijan Tea Estate — 8.0 km away · Kemai Jaroni
- Nya Gogra Tea Estate — 10 km away · No.1 Naya Ghagra
- Halem Tea Estate — 11 km away
- Behali Tea Estate — 17 km away · Assam
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Dufflaghur Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Dufflaghur Tea Estate (115 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Dufflaghur Tea Estate recorded 2,830 mm in 2025, 24% more than the 2,285 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chubwahighgrown | Khailabari Bagan Gaon, India | 115 m | 3,383 mm | 28.2 °C |
| Hunwal Tea Estate | Assam, India | 116 m | 2,483 mm | 28.5 °C |
| Yalta | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 117 m | 2,624 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Rooibos Limited | Western Cape, South Africa | 112 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
| Dishan Valley | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 112 m | 2,624 mm | 30.0 °C |
Dufflaghur Tea Estate Compared with Sonitpur
In Sonitpur, Dufflaghur Tea Estate is drier than 75% of the others by 2025 rainfall; the highest of the 5 estates by elevation; the coolest of the 5 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Dufflaghur Tea Estate against the 4 other estates we map in Sonitpur, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Dufflaghur Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 115 m | 82 m | 81 to 89 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,830 mm | 3,142 mm | 2,821 to 3,374 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.6 °C | 28.9 °C | 28.7 to 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.9 °C | 19.9 °C | 19.4 to 20.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Dufflaghur Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Dufflaghur Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,830 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (618 mm) and the driest was December (1 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.6 °C and overnight lows 18.9 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,830 mm |
| Wettest month | May (618 mm) |
| Driest month | December (1 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dufflaghur Tea Estate located?
Dufflaghur Tea Estate is in Sonitpur, India, at coordinates 26.9386, 93.5180, at an elevation of about 115 metres.
Who operates Dufflaghur Tea Estate?
Dufflaghur Tea Estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Dufflaghur Tea Estate produce?
Dufflaghur Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Dufflaghur Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Dufflaghur Tea Estate as supplying Sainsbury's.
How much rain does Dufflaghur Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,830 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (618 mm).
How does Dufflaghur Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Dufflaghur Tea Estate recorded 2,830 mm in 2025, 24% more rain than the 2,285 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].
