In short: Halem Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Sonitpur, Assam, India, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd. and recorded as supplying Sainsbury's.
Halem Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Sonitpur district, Assam, India, at an elevation of 89 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically one of the world's largest tea producers by acreage. It is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 89 metres elevation, Halem lies in the low-lying plains characteristic of Assam's main tea-growing belt. Estates at this altitude in the Brahmaputra valley typically experience a warm, humid subtropical climate with pronounced monsoon rains, conditions that generally favour vigorous growth and high yields. The combination of alluvial soils, ample moisture and long growing seasons tends to produce robust, full-bodied leaf.
The Sonitpur district sits on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, where the interplay of river mist, warmth and seasonal flooding patterns often shapes the rhythm of plucking and fermentation. Estates in this zone generally benefit from minimal thermal stress, allowing steady cropping across multiple flushes, though the lower altitude typically yields teas with less aromatic complexity than those from high-grown regions.
Tea Produced
Halem produces black tea. Assam plains estates at this elevation typically yield bold, malty infusions with a thick body and relatively low astringency. The cup character common to low-grown Assam teas tends toward reddish-brown liquor, pronounced strength and a sweetness that works well in blends or as a breakfast tea. While aromatics are generally less pronounced than in high-elevation gardens, the emphasis is often on consistency, colour and the brisk, full-bodied profile expected of mainstream Assam CTC or orthodox leaf.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Halem is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket operators. This supply relationship places the estate within the orbit of high-volume own-label and blended-tea procurement, where consistency, food-safety compliance and cost competitiveness are typically prioritised. Sainsbury's sources tea both directly and through packers, and the inclusion of Halem in its supply chain suggests the estate meets the traceability and assurance standards expected by large British retailers.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
Halem is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., a company that for many years ranked as the world's largest private-sector tea producer by cultivated area. The firm, part of the Williamson Magor Group, has historically managed dozens of estates across Assam, West Bengal and Uganda. Mcleod Russel controls six other estates listed in this directory, reflecting the scale and geographic spread of its Indian operations, though the company has in recent years undergone restructuring and asset consolidation.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Halem Tea Estate lies at 26.8494, 93.4647 in Sonitpur, India. Its 89 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 5 estates we map in Sonitpur. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Singlijan Tea Estate — 5.8 km away · Kemai Jaroni
- Behali Tea Estate — 8.2 km away · Assam
- Mcleod Russel India Ltd, Boroi Tea Factory — 8.6 km away · Assam
- Dufflaghur Tea Estate — 11 km away
- Bargang Tea Estate — 16 km away · Assam
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Halem Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Halem Tea Estate (89 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Halem Tea Estate recorded 2,946 mm in 2025, 10% less than the 3,260 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addabarie Tea Estate | No.4 Sessa T.E, India | 89 m | 3,338 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Kolonna | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 89 m | 4,426 mm | 30.3 °C |
| Behora Tea Estate | Golaghat, India | 90 m | 2,552 mm | 28.3 °C |
| Nilwala | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 90 m | 2,875 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Triple Zed Tea Estate Private Limited | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 87 m | 3,108 mm | 29.2 °C |
Halem Tea Estate Compared with Sonitpur
In Sonitpur, Halem Tea Estate is wetter than 50% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 75% of the others by elevation; warmer than 75% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Halem 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 | Halem Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 89 m | 82 m | 81 to 115 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,946 mm | 3,084 mm | 2,821 to 3,374 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.9 °C | 28.8 °C | 28.6 to 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.0 °C | 19.5 °C | 18.9 to 20.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Halem Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Halem Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,946 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (596 mm) and the driest was December (0 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.9 °C and overnight lows 20.0 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,946 mm |
| Wettest month | May (596 mm) |
| Driest month | December (0 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Halem Tea Estate located?
Halem Tea Estate is in Sonitpur, India, at coordinates 26.8494, 93.4647, at an elevation of about 89 metres.
Who operates Halem Tea Estate?
Halem Tea Estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Halem Tea Estate produce?
Halem Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Halem Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Halem Tea Estate as supplying Sainsbury's.
How much rain does Halem Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,946 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (596 mm).
How does Halem Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Halem Tea Estate recorded 2,946 mm in 2025, 10% less rain than the 3,260 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].
