In short: Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,450 metres, operated by Agalawatte Plantations and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is a black tea estate situated in Sri Lanka's Central Province at an elevation of 1,450 metres. The estate is operated by Agalawatte Plantations and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a significant international tea trader and processor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,450 metres above sea level, the estate occupies an elevation generally classified as high-grown in Sri Lanka's tea geography, where cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation tend to slow leaf development. Estates at this altitude in the Central Province typically experience conditions that can favour the accumulation of flavour compounds, although local microclimate, aspect, and weather patterns introduce considerable variation.
The Central Province encompasses several of Sri Lanka's most recognised tea districts, and elevations above 1,200 metres are often associated with more moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall patterns during both monsoon seasons. These conditions typically support year-round plucking, though the character of leaf and the intensity of flavour can shift with the seasons as the estate's exposure to prevailing winds and moisture changes.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. High-grown Ceylon teas from estates at this elevation in the Central Province are generally known for producing lighter-bodied liquors with bright, brisk character and a tendency toward floral or citrus notes, though cup profile depends heavily on plucking standard, processing choices, and seasonal variation. Black teas from this altitude bracket are often valued for their aromatic complexity and clean finish, characteristics that tend to appeal to blenders seeking top-note interest and brightness.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a global tea business with extensive buying, blending, and packing operations. Finlays sources from numerous origins and typically acts as an intermediary between estates and major retail and foodservice brands, particularly in Europe and North America. The relationship suggests that Frotoft's production is integrated into larger commercial blends or branded lines managed by Finlays, rather than being marketed as a single-estate or origin-specific offering. This positions the estate within the volume segment of the high-grown Ceylon market, where consistency, traceability, and competitive pricing are key.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Agalawatte Plantations. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft lies at 7.0686, 80.7011 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1450 m elevation is the 10th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Glenloch — 1.6 km away
- Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie — 5.3 km away
- Pussellawa Plantations, Rothschild — 6.5 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Dunsinane — 7.1 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla — 7.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft (1,450 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft recorded 3,081 mm in 2025, 26% more than the 2,443 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viriparai Super Tea Estate | Munnar, India | 1,452 m | 3,791 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Maskeliya Plantations, Ampttiakande | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,447 m | 2,308 mm | 23.1 °C |
| Chamong Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,445 m | 2,552 mm | 20.5 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Michimikuru | Meru, Kenya | 1,443 m | 770 mm | 24.6 °C |
| Bogawantalawa Plantations, Campion | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,442 m | 2,792 mm | 21.8 °C |
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is drier than 54% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 90% of the others by elevation; cooler than 92% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft 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 | Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,450 m | 1,202 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,081 mm | 3,206 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.6 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft’s coordinates recorded 3,081 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (975 mm) and the driest was February (38 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.6 °C and overnight lows 15.6 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,081 mm |
| Wettest month | November (975 mm) |
| Driest month | February (38 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft located?
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0686, 80.7011, at an elevation of about 1450 metres.
Who operates Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft?
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is operated by Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft produce?
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,081 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (975 mm).
How does Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft recorded 3,081 mm in 2025, 26% more rain than the 2,443 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].
