In short: Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,888 metres, operated by Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is a tea estate in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, operated by Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce. Situated at an elevation of 1,888 metres, the estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea merchant and processor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,888 metres, Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce sits firmly within the high-grown category that defines much of the Central Province's reputation. Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than their low-grown counterparts, conditions that generally slow the vegetative cycle and allow for more gradual accumulation of flavour compounds in the leaf.
The Central Province's topography and latitude—just under seven degrees north of the equator—tend to produce two quality peaks during the year, though microclimates vary. High-elevation sites such as this generally receive consistent cloud cover and moisture, factors that often contribute to the delicate, bright character associated with Ceylon high-growns. The thinner air and intense sunlight at this altitude are thought to stress the tea plant in ways that can enhance aromatic complexity.
Tea Produced
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce produces black tea. Estates in the Central Province at comparable elevations often yield teas with a bright, brisk cup profile, typically marked by floral or citrus notes and a clean finish. High-grown Ceylon blacks from this altitude range are generally lighter in body than low-grown teas, with a characteristic brightness that appeals to blenders and single-origin buyers alike. The specific character of Fordyce's output will vary with season, processing choices, and leaf grade.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea businesses with blending, packing, and distribution operations across multiple continents. This relationship places the estate within a global supply chain serving retail brands, foodservice clients, and out-of-home channels. Finlays' sourcing footprint is extensive, and inclusion in its supplier base suggests that Fordyce meets the volume, quality consistency, and traceability standards expected by multinational buyers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce lies at 6.9497, 80.7891 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1888 m elevation is the joint 4th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Agalawatte Plantations, Weddemulla — under 1 km away
- Kotagala Plantations, Craigie Lea — under 1 km away
- Pedro estate — 2.4 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Luckyland Tea Estate — 2.4 km away · Nuwara Eliya-Uda Pussellawa Rd
- Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North — 3.2 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce (1,888 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce recorded 2,522 mm in 2025, 56% more than the 1,612 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapsara Tea Factory | Sibanga, Kenya | 1,889 m | 1,521 mm | 23.8 °C |
| Kipkebe \u0026 Keritor Tea Estates | C22 Road, Kenya | 1,886 m | 1,351 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Himalayan Tea Producers Cooperative Ltd. | LN Road 32, Nepal | 1,895 m | 2,180 mm | 18.5 °C |
| Cangyuan Rangsai Tea Cooperative | 36 Jian Gong Building Dong Feng Dong Road, China | 1,898 m | 1,823 mm | 20.7 °C |
| MUSHUBI | GICUMBI, Rwanda | 1,899 m | 1,186 mm | 22.7 °C |
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is drier than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 95% of the others by elevation; cooler than 97% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce against the 92 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,888 m | 1,202 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,522 mm | 3,206 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 19.7 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.7 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce’s coordinates recorded 2,522 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (691 mm) and the driest was February (52 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.7 °C and overnight lows 12.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,522 mm |
| Wettest month | November (691 mm) |
| Driest month | February (52 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 19.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce located?
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9497, 80.7891, at an elevation of about 1888 metres.
Who operates Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce?
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is operated by Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce produce?
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,522 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (691 mm).
How does Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce recorded 2,522 mm in 2025, 56% more rain than the 1,612 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].
