In short: KDU, Deerwood is a low-grown black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, operated by KDU and recorded as supplying Finlays.
KDU, Deerwood is a black tea estate situated in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 119 metres. The estate is operated by KDU, a company that runs a further six tea properties recorded in commercial directories. Finlays is documented as a buyer of tea from this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 119 metres above sea level, KDU, Deerwood sits firmly in Sri Lanka's low-grown tea zone, where estates typically experience warmer temperatures and faster vegetative growth than their high-elevation counterparts. This latitude, approximately 6.8° north of the equator, generally supports year-round cultivation with less pronounced seasonal dormancy, though monsoon patterns tend to influence flush intensity and leaf chemistry.
Low-grown estates in Sabaragamuwa Province often contend with higher humidity and more vigorous canopy development, conditions that typically favour rapid throughput and robust leaf structure. The modest elevation generally results in lower concentrations of certain secondary metabolites compared to high-grown teas, though estates at this altitude can still produce consistent, characterful black tea when processing is carefully managed.
Tea Produced
KDU, Deerwood produces black tea. Low-grown Sri Lankan black teas from this elevation band typically yield a bolder, more astringent cup with good colour and body, though they tend to lack the delicate aromatics and brightness associated with high-grown Ceylon. Estates in Sabaragamuwa Province at similar altitudes often produce teas suited to blending, prized for strength and consistency rather than nuanced character, though well-made low-growns can offer satisfying malty or earthy notes when processed with care.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Finlays, a major multinational tea and horticulture company with extensive blending, packing, and distribution operations, is recorded as a buyer of tea from KDU, Deerwood. This relationship suggests the estate's output is likely destined for commercial blends and branded products distributed across multiple markets, a common route for low-grown Sri Lankan black teas valued for consistency and strength in high-volume supply chains.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
KDU operates this estate alongside six other tea properties recorded in commercial directories, indicating a portfolio approach to cultivation and processing in Sri Lanka's tea sector. Multi-estate operators of this scale typically benefit from shared agronomic expertise, centralised procurement, and diversified risk across different microclimates and elevations.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
KDU, Deerwood lies at 6.8001, 80.3785 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 119 m elevation is the 55th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KDU, Peak Paradise — 4.9 km away
- Forest Hill Tea — 5.1 km away · Hospital Road Erathna
- Galahitiya — 6.2 km away
- Kendalanda — 6.6 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Meddakande — 6.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to KDU, Deerwood
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KDU, Deerwood (119 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KDU, Deerwood recorded 4,668 mm in 2025, 97% more than the 2,370 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoolungooree Tea Estate | Assam, India | 118 m | 2,483 mm | 28.5 °C |
| Itakhooli Tea Estate | Assam, India | 118 m | 3,374 mm | 28.1 °C |
| Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 3,054 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Ceyenta | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 2,624 mm | 29.9 °C |
| I \u0026 M Smith | Western Cape, South Africa | 124 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
KDU, Deerwood Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, KDU, Deerwood is wetter than 99% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 73% of the others by elevation; cooler than 53% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KDU, Deerwood 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 | KDU, Deerwood | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 119 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,668 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at KDU, Deerwood (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KDU, Deerwood’s coordinates recorded 4,668 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (752 mm) and the driest was February (95 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.5 °C and overnight lows 22.5 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,668 mm |
| Wettest month | November (752 mm) |
| Driest month | February (95 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is KDU, Deerwood located?
KDU, Deerwood is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8001, 80.3785, at an elevation of about 119 metres.
Who operates KDU, Deerwood?
KDU, Deerwood is operated by KDU, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does KDU, Deerwood produce?
KDU, Deerwood is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does KDU, Deerwood supply?
Public supplier disclosures record KDU, Deerwood as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does KDU, Deerwood receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,668 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (752 mm).
How does KDU, Deerwood compare with estates at a similar elevation?
KDU, Deerwood recorded 4,668 mm in 2025, 97% more rain than the 2,370 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].