In short: Pertabghur Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Sonitpur, Assam, India, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd. and recorded as supplying Sainsbury's.
Pertabghur Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Sonitpur district, Assam, India, at an elevation of 81 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., formerly one of the world's largest tea producers by volume. Pertabghur is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, the UK supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 81 metres elevation in the Brahmaputra valley, Pertabghur occupies low-lying plains characteristic of Assam's principal tea-growing belt. Estates at this altitude typically experience a warm, humid subtropical climate with pronounced monsoon rains from June through September, conditions that generally support vigorous vegetative growth and year-round plucking with a brief winter dormancy.
The combination of low elevation, high temperatures and abundant rainfall in this region tends to produce robust, fast-growing leaf with the bold character for which Assam teas are known. Sonitpur's position in the upper Brahmaputra plain generally means deep alluvial soils, though drainage and microclimatic variation across individual estates can influence plant health and yield.
Tea Produced
Pertabghur produces black tea. Assam estates at this elevation typically yield full-bodied, malty orthodox grades and CTC leaf prized for breakfast blends and strong, brisk infusions. The region's teas are generally characterised by coppery liquor, robust astringency and the malt-and-grain notes that underpin much of the global commodity black tea trade, though specific plucking standards and processing choices vary widely between estates and seasons.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Pertabghur is recorded as a supplier to Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major grocery retailers. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain of a high-volume, price-sensitive supermarket sector that sources Assam tea for own-label blends and everyday black tea offerings. Such buyers typically require consistent quality, competitive pricing and, increasingly, evidence of compliance with retailer sustainability standards, although no formal certifications are recorded for Pertabghur at present.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
Pertabghur is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically the world's largest private-sector tea producer by volume until financial difficulties led to insolvency proceedings in 2018. The company manages six other estates recorded in our directory. Mcleod Russel's portfolio has been subject to restructuring and asset sales in recent years, and operational continuity at individual estates may vary as the group navigates resolution proceedings.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Pertabghur Tea Estate lies at 26.7412, 93.0694 in Sonitpur, India. Its 81 m elevation is the joint 4th highest of 5 estates we map in Sonitpur. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Majulighur Tea Estate — 5.1 km away · Majuli Garh 101/156
- BAGHMARI — 13 km away · Assam
- Dekorai Tea Estate — 13 km away · Assam
- Dekorai Tea Esate — 13 km away
- Gingia Tea Estate — 20 km away · Uttar Jinjia
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Pertabghur Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Pertabghur Tea Estate (81 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Pertabghur Tea Estate recorded 2,821 mm in 2025, 17% less than the 3,398 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phulbari Tea Estate | Sonitpur, India | 81 m | 3,338 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Talma Tea Industries Ltd | Rangpur, Bangladesh | 82 m | 3,066 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Dhulapadung | Assam, India | 80 m | 3,305 mm | 28.7 °C |
| Kithulgala | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 83 m | 3,969 mm | 30.3 °C |
| Susantha | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 79 m | 3,310 mm | 30.0 °C |
Pertabghur Tea Estate Compared with Sonitpur
In Sonitpur, Pertabghur Tea Estate is the driest of the 5 estates by 2025 rainfall; the lowest of the 5 estates by elevation; cooler than 75% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Pertabghur 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 | Pertabghur Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 81 m | 86 m | 81 to 115 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,821 mm | 3,142 mm | 2,830 to 3,374 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C | 28.9 °C | 28.6 to 28.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.1 °C | 19.5 °C | 18.9 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Pertabghur Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Pertabghur Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,821 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (718 mm) and the driest was December (0 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.7 °C and overnight lows 20.1 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,821 mm |
| Wettest month | May (718 mm) |
| Driest month | December (0 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pertabghur Tea Estate located?
Pertabghur Tea Estate is in Sonitpur, India, at coordinates 26.7412, 93.0694, at an elevation of about 81 metres.
Who operates Pertabghur Tea Estate?
Pertabghur Tea Estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Pertabghur Tea Estate produce?
Pertabghur Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Pertabghur Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Pertabghur Tea Estate as supplying Sainsbury's.
How much rain does Pertabghur Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,821 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (718 mm).
How does Pertabghur Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Pertabghur Tea Estate recorded 2,821 mm in 2025, 17% less rain than the 3,398 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].
