In short: Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operating at 1,541 metres and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is a black tea estate located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,541 metres. The estate is operated by Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie, and is recorded as supplying the tea trader Finlays.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,541 metres above sea level, the estate sits within the mid-to-high elevation band typical of Sri Lanka's Central Province, where cooler temperatures and cloud cover tend to slow the growth cycle. Estates at this altitude generally experience more moderate daytime heat and greater diurnal temperature variation than lowland gardens, conditions that often favour the accumulation of flavour compounds in the leaf.
The Central Province's climate is typically characterised by two monsoon periods, which can influence flush timing and leaf chemistry. Higher-elevation sites in this region often benefit from well-distributed rainfall and mist, factors that tend to encourage slower, more even vegetative growth and can contribute to the development of nuanced character in the made tea.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Central Province gardens at this elevation typically yield teas with moderate body, balanced astringency, and a clean, bright character in the cup. Mid-to-high-grown Sri Lankan blacks from this region often display floral or citrus notes and a lively, refreshing quality, though specific cup profiles vary with season, manufacturing technique, and leaf grade.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major global tea trading and blending house with operations across multiple continents. Finlays sources from a wide network of estates and is known to service large-scale retail, foodservice, and branded tea clients. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests the estate is integrated into established commercial supply chains, likely producing volume consistent with the specifications required for blended and branded tea products destined for international markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie lies at 7.0242, 80.7194 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1541 m elevation is the 7th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Elpitiya Plantations, Dunsinane — 3.4 km away
- Glenloch — 4.6 km away
- Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft — 5.3 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen — 5.3 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla — 6.3 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie (1,541 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie recorded 3,080 mm in 2025, 84% more than the 1,678 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singell Tea Estate | Kurseong, India | 1,545 m | 2,552 mm | 19.8 °C |
| Glenworth Tea Estate | The Nilgiris, India | 1,536 m | 1,467 mm | 21.8 °C |
| Agarapatana Plantations, Dambatenne | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,535 m | 2,188 mm | 22.4 °C |
| Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited, Kiko Factory, Kibale Garden | Fort Portal, Uganda | 1,533 m | 1,309 mm | 25.4 °C |
| Tingamira Tea Estate | 194 Mutare Road, Zimbabwe | 1,529 m | 876 mm | 24.2 °C |
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is drier than 55% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 93% of the others by elevation; cooler than 93% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie 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, Labookellie | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,541 m | 1,202 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,080 mm | 3,206 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.3 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie’s coordinates recorded 3,080 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (975 mm) and the driest was February (38 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.3 °C and overnight lows 15.1 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,080 mm |
| Wettest month | November (975 mm) |
| Driest month | February (38 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie located?
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0242, 80.7194, at an elevation of about 1541 metres.
Who operates Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie?
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is operated by Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie produce?
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,080 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (975 mm).
How does Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie recorded 3,080 mm in 2025, 84% more rain than the 1,678 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].
