In short: Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,044 metres, operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla, and known to supply Finlays.
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is a black tea estate situated in Sri Lanka's Central Province at an elevation of 1,044 metres. The estate is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a significant player in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,044 metres, the estate sits within the mid-elevation band typical of Sri Lanka's Central Province, where conditions generally favour consistent year-round growth. Estates at this altitude often experience moderate daytime temperatures and cooler nights, factors that can contribute to steady leaf development and a balance between yield and quality.
The Central Province's topography and seasonal monsoon patterns tend to shape two main cropping periods, with estates at similar elevations typically benefiting from both the south-west and north-east monsoons. This latitude and elevation combination often supports the production of black teas with reasonable body and colour, though specific outcomes depend on manufacturing technique and seasonal variation.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Mid-elevation Ceylon teas from the Central Province typically yield a cup with moderate strength, brisk character, and a balance of brightness and body. Estates at around 1,000 metres often produce leaf that processes into black teas suitable for blending, with a profile that tends towards reliable colour and a clean, straightforward flavour rather than the pronounced floral or citrus notes sometimes associated with higher-grown regions.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with operations spanning cultivation, processing, blending, and distribution. This relationship suggests the estate's production is directed into professional supply chains serving branded tea companies and foodservice markets globally. Finlays' sourcing network is extensive, and estates within its supply base typically meet consistent quality and volume expectations appropriate to large-scale blending and retail demand.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla lies at 7.0131, 80.6632 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1044 m elevation is the 57th 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, Sheen — 1.6 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Dunsinane — 3.7 km away
- Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield — 5.0 km away
- Wattegodde Tea Estate — 5.8 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Glenloch — 5.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla (1,044 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla recorded 4,013 mm in 2025, 78% more than the 2,260 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Duckwari | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,041 m | 3,680 mm | 23.7 °C |
| Uva Halpewatte | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,030 m | 2,416 mm | 25.7 °C |
| Namingomba Tea Estates Limited | Thyolo, Malawi | 1,022 m | 1,525 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Manjushree Tea Estate | O Valley, India | 1,070 m | 2,633 mm | 24.2 °C |
| Kisaru Tea Estate | Kampala-Masindi Road, Uganda | 1,070 m | 1,046 mm | 29.7 °C |
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is wetter than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 61% of the others by elevation; warmer than 63% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla 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 | Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,044 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,013 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.1 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla’s coordinates recorded 4,013 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (958 mm) and the driest was February (60 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.1 °C and overnight lows 16.8 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,013 mm |
| Wettest month | November (958 mm) |
| Driest month | February (60 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla located?
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0131, 80.6632, at an elevation of about 1044 metres.
Who operates Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla?
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla produce?
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,013 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (958 mm).
How does Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla recorded 4,013 mm in 2025, 78% more rain than the 2,260 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].
