In short: Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,409 metres, known to supply Finlays.
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is a tea estate located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an elevation of 1,409 metres. The estate is operated under the name Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral and is recorded as supplying black tea to Finlays, a significant buyer in the global tea supply chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,409 metres above sea level, estates in Sri Lanka's Central Province typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that generally slow leaf development. This elevation, positioned in the mid-grown to high-grown range, tends to favour the accumulation of compounds that contribute to the structure and complexity often associated with Ceylon teas from this belt. The Central Province's topography and proximity to the equator usually ensure relatively consistent rainfall, though seasonal patterns can influence flush cycles and yield.
Estates at this altitude in the Central Province are often subject to mist and cloud cover, particularly during monsoon transitions, which can moderate direct sunlight exposure and influence the balance of catechins and amino acids in the leaf. These climatic tendencies generally support the production of teas with good body and a degree of brightness, though specific outcomes depend on processing choices and the timing of plucking relative to weather patterns.
Tea Produced
Balmoral produces black tea, the dominant category for estates in this region and altitude band. Central Province teas from mid- to high-grown elevations typically yield a cup with medium to full body, a balance of briskness and smoothness, and a character that can range from malty to slightly floral depending on the season and leaf grade. Estates at this elevation generally produce teas suited to both blending and single-estate offerings, with a profile that tends to show Ceylon tea's hallmark clarity and structure.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Balmoral is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major global tea and beverage ingredients company with extensive sourcing networks across Sri Lanka and other origin countries. Finlays operates as both an estate owner and a buyer, blending and packing teas for international brands and retail clients. The relationship suggests that Balmoral's output meets the quality and consistency standards required for inclusion in commercial blends or branded products destined for export markets, positioning the estate within the mainstream supply chain for Ceylon black tea.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral lies at 6.8717, 80.6822 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1409 m elevation is the 14th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Clydesdale Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Agarapatana Plantations, Argra Ouvah — 2.4 km away
- Agrakanda — 3.6 km away
- Horana Plantations, Bambrakelly Group — 3.6 km away
- Horana Plantations, Eildon Hall — 3.6 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral (1,409 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral recorded 3,114 mm in 2025, 84% more than the 1,689 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,408 m | 2,188 mm | 23.4 °C |
| MABAYI | Cibitoke, Burundi | 1,413 m | 1,972 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Rwanda Mountain Tea | KG 438 St, Rwanda | 1,413 m | 1,053 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Agarapatana Plantations, Haputale | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,402 m | 2,188 mm | 23.2 °C |
| Kayonza | Ntungamo, Uganda | 1,416 m | 1,045 mm | 26.7 °C |
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is drier than 52% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; cooler than 78% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral 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 | Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,409 m | 1,202 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,114 mm | 3,206 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.4 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral’s coordinates recorded 3,114 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (605 mm) and the driest was February (38 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.4 °C and overnight lows 15.4 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,114 mm |
| Wettest month | November (605 mm) |
| Driest month | February (38 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral located?
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8717, 80.6822, at an elevation of about 1409 metres.
Who operates Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral?
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is operated by Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral produce?
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,114 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (605 mm).
How does Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Agarapatana Plantations, Balmoral recorded 3,114 mm in 2025, 84% more rain than the 1,689 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].
