In short: Kadigalahena is a tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, located at 534 metres above sea level and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Kadigalahena is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 534 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major tea and beverage ingredient business with global sourcing operations.
Terroir & Climate
At 534 metres, Kadigalahena sits within the low-grown elevation band typical of estates in the Sabaragamuwa Province, a region that spans the transition zone between Sri Lanka's central hills and the coastal lowlands. Estates at this altitude generally experience warmer temperatures and more humid conditions than their high-grown counterparts, which tends to encourage faster leaf growth and higher yields across the year. The tropical climate at this latitude, close to 6.6°N, typically means little seasonal variation in temperature, though monsoon patterns can influence flush cycles.
Low-grown estates in Sri Lanka often benefit from deep, fertile soils and consistent rainfall, conditions that generally support vigorous vegetative growth. The combination of warmth and moisture at elevations below 600 metres tends to produce leaf with robust structure and lower concentrations of certain polyphenols compared to teas grown at higher, cooler altitudes. These environmental factors typically shape both the agronomic characteristics of the estate and the processing potential of its green leaf.
Tea Produced
Kadigalahena produces black tea, the dominant output category for low-grown estates in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa region. Teas from this elevation band typically yield a full-bodied, malty cup with moderate astringency and a straightforward, robust character. While high-grown Ceylon teas are often prized for brightness and floral complexity, low-grown leaf from estates at this altitude generally contributes strength and colour to blends, qualities valued in both packet tea and foodservice applications. The processing style and plucking standard will ultimately determine cup quality, but the terroir at 534 metres tends to favour teas with body and depth over delicate aromatics.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kadigalahena is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with estates, blending facilities, and a substantial share of the global black tea trade. Finlays sources from multiple origins to serve retail brands, foodservice clients, and its own branded portfolios. The presence of Finlays as a known buyer suggests that Kadigalahena's output enters commercial supply chains where consistency, volume capability, and competitive pricing are key considerations. Estates supplying such buyers typically produce tea suited to blending rather than single-origin retail, though the specific contractual arrangements and volumes are not publicly recorded.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kadigalahena lies at 6.6401, 80.7162 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 534 m elevation is the 11th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Boscombe — under 1 km away
- New Hopewell — 2.2 km away
- Balangoda Tea Shakthi — 2.3 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Maratenne — 3.0 km away
- Rasagalla — 3.2 km away · Ratnapura
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kadigalahena
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kadigalahena (534 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kadigalahena recorded 2,664 mm in 2025, 28% 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 |
Kadigalahena Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Kadigalahena is drier than 89% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; cooler than 91% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kadigalahena 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 | Kadigalahena | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 534 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,664 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 27.5 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.6 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kadigalahena (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kadigalahena’s coordinates recorded 2,664 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (629 mm) and the driest was February (44 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.5 °C and overnight lows 20.6 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,664 mm |
| Wettest month | November (629 mm) |
| Driest month | February (44 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 20.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kadigalahena located?
Kadigalahena is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.6401, 80.7162, at an elevation of about 534 metres.
What type of tea does Kadigalahena produce?
Kadigalahena is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kadigalahena supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kadigalahena as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kadigalahena receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,664 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (629 mm).
How does Kadigalahena compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kadigalahena recorded 2,664 mm in 2025, 28% 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].