In short: Pallegama is a tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operating at approximately 600 metres elevation and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Pallegama is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operating at an elevation of 599 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, the major tea packer and distributor.
Terroir & Climate
At just under 600 metres elevation, Pallegama occupies a position in what is typically classified as low-grown terrain within Sri Lanka's tea geography. Estates at this altitude range in the Central Province generally experience warmer temperatures and more rapid growth cycles than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to favour robust leaf development and vigorous cropping throughout much of the year.
The Central Province's climate is shaped by both monsoon patterns and localised topography. At mid-elevations of this kind, estates often benefit from reliable rainfall distribution while avoiding the cooler night temperatures and slower withering conditions found at higher altitudes. These factors typically result in a growing environment conducive to producing teas with body and strength, though the specific microclimates within the province can vary considerably from site to site.
Tea Produced
Pallegama produces black tea. Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka's low-grown to mid-grown belt typically yield teas with good colour, body and a straightforward, brisk character. The warmer growing conditions at around 600 metres tend to produce leaf that processes into liquors with strength and depth rather than the delicate aromatics associated with high-grown Ceylon teas. Such teas are often valued in blending for their consistency and robust cup profile.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Pallegama is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea businesses with operations spanning production, blending, packing and distribution. Finlays sources tea from estates across Sri Lanka and other origins to supply retail brands, foodservice clients and its own packaged-tea labels in numerous markets. The relationship suggests that Pallegama's output meets the quality and volume standards required for commercial-scale blending and wholesale channels, positioning the estate within the mainstream supply chain that serves major international buyers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Pallegama lies at 7.0959, 80.5559 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 599 m elevation is the 81st highest of 94 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- New Weliganga — under 1 km away
- Goorookoya — 3.5 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Nayapane — 3.7 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Craighead — 4.1 km away
- Cooroondoowatte — 4.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Pallegama
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Pallegama (599 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Pallegama recorded 3,032 mm in 2025, 29% more than the 2,351 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancoombra | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 591 m | 3,329 mm | 27.2 °C |
| Badamtam Tea Estate | Weste Bengal, India | 608 m | 2,753 mm | 27.2 °C |
| Hapugastenne Plantations, Springwood | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 582 m | 2,392 mm | 27.6 °C |
| James Finlay (Guizhou) Tea Co.Ltd. | Guizhou province, China | 572 m | 1,604 mm | 22.2 °C |
| ESPERANZA | Mulanje, Malawi | 643 m | 1,677 mm | 26.9 °C |
Pallegama Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Pallegama is drier than 58% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 86% of the others by elevation; warmer than 84% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Pallegama against the 93 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Pallegama | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 599 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,032 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.1 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.2 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Pallegama (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Pallegama’s coordinates recorded 3,032 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (893 mm) and the driest was February (18 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.1 °C and overnight lows 19.2 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and November the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,032 mm |
| Wettest month | November (893 mm) |
| Driest month | February (18 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pallegama located?
Pallegama is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0959, 80.5559, at an elevation of about 599 metres.
What type of tea does Pallegama produce?
Pallegama is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Pallegama supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Pallegama as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Pallegama receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,032 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (893 mm).
How does Pallegama compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Pallegama recorded 3,032 mm in 2025, 29% more rain than the 2,351 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].