In short: Non Pareil is a black tea estate in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka, operated by Stassen Exports and recorded as a supplier to Morrisons.
Non Pareil is a black tea estate located in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 44 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Stassen Exports, a Sri Lankan tea exporter with a portfolio of estates across the island. Non Pareil is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 44 metres altitude, Non Pareil occupies one of the lowest elevations at which commercial tea is grown in Sri Lanka. Estates at this latitude and elevation typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with minimal temperature variation between seasons. The Ratnapura district, situated in the Sabaragamuwa Province, generally receives substantial rainfall, particularly during the south-west monsoon, which tends to sustain vigorous vegetative growth.
Low-elevation Sri Lankan estates often produce leaf that matures rapidly under the tropical heat, yielding teas that differ markedly in character from the slower-grown leaf of the central highlands. The absence of cool nights and wide diurnal temperature swings, which high-elevation gardens experience, typically results in a different flavour profile and leaf structure. Such conditions generally favour high-volume production rather than the nuanced complexity associated with altitude.
Tea Produced
Non Pareil produces black tea. Low-elevation Sri Lankan black teas typically yield a full-bodied, brisk cup with robust, straightforward character and good colour. Estates in this altitude band often produce teas suited to blending, valued for strength and consistency rather than the delicate aromatics or brightness that high-grown Ceylon teas are known for. The cup profile at this elevation tends towards malty, earthy notes with a clean, astringent finish, characteristics that perform well in breakfast blends and retail own-label products.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Non Pareil is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the retail own-label supply chain, a channel that demands consistent quality, competitive pricing, and reliable volumes. Estates supplying major British supermarkets typically operate within tightly specified procurement frameworks, reflecting the buyers' need for traceability and year-round availability. The presence of a major retailer among Non Pareil's buyers suggests the estate's production is geared towards the commodity and blended tea segments rather than specialty or single-estate offerings.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Non Pareil is operated by Stassen Exports, a Sri Lankan tea exporter with established presence in international markets. Stassen Exports operates four other estates recorded in this directory, indicating a multi-estate operation with the economies of scale and supply-chain infrastructure characteristic of larger exporters. This portfolio approach typically allows operators to serve diverse buyer requirements and manage production risk across different growing regions and elevations.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Non Pareil lies at 6.7056, 80.3847 in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Its 44 m elevation is the 325th highest of 429 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Balangoda Plantations, Palm Garden — under 1 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
- Hidellana Tea Factory — under 1 km away
- Agalawatte Plantations, Doloswella — 1.8 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
- Deraniyagala Tea Shakthi — 1.8 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
- Hapugastenne Plantations, Hapugastenne — 1.8 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Non Pareil
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Non Pareil (44 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Non Pareil recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 74% more than the 2,565 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atiabagh Tea Estate | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 45 m | 2,948 mm | 30.0 °C |
| S.L.S | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 43 m | 2,891 mm | 30.4 °C |
| Owaggachara Tea Estate Factory | Rangamati, Bangladesh | 46 m | 2,525 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Co, Op Win | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 46 m | 2,875 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Fujian Province Anxi County Xingxi Tea Co. | Anxi County, China | 41 m | 1,584 mm | 27.6 °C |
Non Pareil Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Non Pareil is wetter than 95% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 76% of the others by elevation; warmer than 91% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Non Pareil against the 428 other estates we map in Sri Lanka, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Non Pareil | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 44 m | 300 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,458 mm | 3,051 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.9 °C | 21.7 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at Non Pareil (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Non Pareil’s coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (662 mm) and the driest was February (80 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.2 °C and overnight lows 22.9 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,458 mm |
| Wettest month | November (662 mm) |
| Driest month | February (80 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Non Pareil located?
Non Pareil is in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.7056, 80.3847, at an elevation of about 44 metres.
Who operates Non Pareil?
Non Pareil is operated by Stassen Exports, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Non Pareil produce?
Non Pareil is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Non Pareil supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Non Pareil as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Non Pareil receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (662 mm).
How does Non Pareil compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Non Pareil recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 74% more rain than the 2,565 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].