In short: Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is a black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at 537 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is a black tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 537 metres. The estate operates under the name Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major tea buyer and processor active in global tea markets.
Terroir & Climate
At 537 metres above sea level, the estate sits within the low-grown category typical of Sri Lanka's mid-country districts. Estates at this elevation in Sabaragamuwa Province generally experience warmer daytime temperatures and more consistent year-round rainfall than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth and relatively rapid leaf maturation. The latitude, just north of the equator, typically results in minimal seasonal variation in daylight hours, allowing for continuous cropping cycles throughout the year.
Low to mid-elevation sites in this region often produce a growing environment characterised by higher ambient humidity and less pronounced diurnal temperature variation than is found in the central highlands. These conditions generally favour vigorous canopy development and can contribute to leaf chemistry that yields brisk, full-bodied infusions when processed as black tea. Terroir at this altitude is typically less defined by the slower, stressed growth associated with high-altitude Ceylon teas, and more by the steady throughput and robust leaf character common to warmer, lower-elevation gardens.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Estates at comparable elevations in Sabaragamuwa Province typically yield teas with a full-bodied, brisk character and good colour in the cup. The warmer growing conditions and faster leaf development common to this altitude range often result in black teas that are robust and straightforward, with moderate astringency and a malty, sometimes slightly earthy profile. While these teas generally lack the delicate, bright complexity of high-grown Ceylon grades, they tend to offer consistent strength and are well-suited to blending and to applications where body and colour are prioritised.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with a significant presence in both production and global distribution. Finlays operates estates, buying operations and blending facilities across multiple origins and serves a diverse customer base spanning retail brands, foodservice and out-of-home segments. Supply to Finlays suggests that New Rasagalla's output is likely directed into commercial blending channels, where consistent quality, colour and body are valued over the more nuanced, high-altitude characteristics sought by speciality buyers. This positioning reflects the estate's low- to mid-elevation profile and its black tea focus.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla lies at 6.6923, 80.6379 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 537 m elevation is the 9th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Balangoda Plantations, Cecilton — 5.2 km away
- Sherwood — 5.4 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Maratenne — 7.9 km away
- Rasagalla — 7.9 km away · Ratnapura
- Walaboda — 7.9 km away · Ratnapura
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla (537 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla recorded 3,082 mm in 2025, 49% more than the 2,075 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehiwatte | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 534 m | 2,513 mm | 27.6 °C |
| Alagalla | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 533 m | 2,615 mm | 28.0 °C |
| James Finlay (Guizhou) Tea Co.Ltd. | Guizhou province, China | 572 m | 1,604 mm | 22.2 °C |
| J Llorente Y Cias A | Misiones, Argentina | 482 m | 1,810 mm | 25.7 °C |
| Ariel | Route 14 / Km 962 / Dos de Mayo () Misiones, Argentina | 479 m | 1,831 mm | 25.3 °C |
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is drier than 68% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 89% of the others by elevation; cooler than 95% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla against the 74 other estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 537 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,082 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.8 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.1 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla’s coordinates recorded 3,082 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (658 mm) and the driest was February (39 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.8 °C and overnight lows 20.1 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,082 mm |
| Wettest month | November (658 mm) |
| Driest month | February (39 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla located?
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.6923, 80.6379, at an elevation of about 537 metres.
Who operates Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla?
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is operated by Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla produce?
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,082 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (658 mm).
How does Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Balangoda Plantations, New Rasagalla recorded 3,082 mm in 2025, 49% more rain than the 2,075 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].
