KDU, Nilvin View

KDU, Nilvin View is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 194 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by KDU and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays. It produces black tea.

Terroir & Climate

At 194 metres, KDU, Nilvin View falls firmly within Sri Lanka's low-grown category, a designation typically applied to estates below approximately 600 metres. Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka generally experience warmer temperatures and higher humidity than their mid- or high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to encourage faster leaf growth and a more vigorous flush cycle throughout much of the year. Sabaragamuwa Province, situated in the south-central wet zone, typically receives substantial rainfall, which can support year-round cultivation.

Low-grown Ceylon teas are often characterised by their robust character and relatively quick oxidation, a function of the warmer ambient conditions in which the leaf is grown and processed. The combination of lower altitude, tropical warmth, and ample moisture generally yields a leaf that is darker and more fully developed, qualities that tend to suit the production of stronger, more astringent black teas. While specific microclimatic conditions at KDU, Nilvin View are not documented, estates at similar elevations in this region typically produce teas that prioritise strength and colour over the delicate aromatics associated with higher-altitude gardens.

Tea Produced

KDU, Nilvin View produces black tea. Low-grown black teas from Sabaragamuwa Province typically yield a full-bodied, brisk cup with strong colour and pronounced astringency. Estates at this elevation often produce teas valued for their robustness and suitability for blending, particularly in markets where strength and consistent colour extraction are prioritised. The cup character is generally straightforward, with less complexity and floral nuance than teas from higher-altitude estates, but with the vigour and depth that low-grown Ceylon leaf tends to deliver.

Supply Chain & Market Position

KDU, Nilvin View is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and coffee businesses with a significant presence across the global supply chain. Finlays operates as both a grower and a major buyer, sourcing leaf for blending, packing, and distribution to retail and foodservice clients worldwide. The relationship indicates that KDU, Nilvin View's output is channelled into commercial supply networks that prioritise volume, consistency, and competitive pricing—hallmarks of the low-grown segment.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Operator

The estate is operated by KDU, a company that manages a portfolio of tea properties in Sri Lanka. KDU operates six other estates recorded in our directory, indicating a multi-site operation with the scale and infrastructure typical of a regional producer. Estates under common ownership often benefit from shared processing facilities, logistics, and quality-assurance systems, though details of KDU's organisational structure and ownership are not publicly documented in available records.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

KDU, Nilvin View lies at 6.5544, 80.5850 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 194 m elevation is the 33rd highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• New Doralawitiyahena — under 1 km away
• ACU — 4.0 km away
• Kahawatte Plantations, Nilagama — 5.1 km away
• Nawalakanda — 5.1 km away
• Kahawatte Plantations, Poronuwa — 5.6 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to KDU, Nilvin View

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KDU, Nilvin View (194 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KDU, Nilvin View recorded 2,770 mm in 2025, 58% more than the 1,748 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
Dbm International Trading Co Ltd	Xiuning, China	195 m	1,254 mm	23.7 °C
Wuyi Jiulong Mountain Tea Base	Zhejiang Province, China	193 m	1,469 mm	24.4 °C
Khobong	Assam, India	199 m	2,465 mm	29.1 °C
Orangajuli Tea Estate	Assam;, India	199 m	1,742 mm	28.4 °C
Atelier Sueyoshi Seicha Llc	Soo-Shi, Japan	187 m	1,811 mm	21.4 °C

KDU, Nilvin View Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province

In Sabaragamuwa Province, KDU, Nilvin View is drier than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 57% of the others by elevation; cooler than 70% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KDU, Nilvin View 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, Nilvin View	Region median	Region range
Elevation	194 m	164 m	26 to 1,355 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	2,770 mm	3,412 mm	2,018 to 4,839 mm
Mean daily high	28.7 °C	29.5 °C	21.5 to 30.9 °C
Mean overnight low	21.5 °C	21.9 °C	15.7 to 23.0 °C

Observed Climate at KDU, Nilvin View (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KDU, Nilvin View’s coordinates recorded 2,770 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (482 mm) and the driest was February (17 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.7 °C and overnight lows 21.5 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	2,770 mm
Wettest month	November (482 mm)
Driest month	February (17 mm)
Mean daily high	28.7 °C
Mean overnight low	21.5 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is KDU, Nilvin View located?

KDU, Nilvin View is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.5544, 80.5850, at an elevation of about 194 metres.

Who operates KDU, Nilvin View?

KDU, Nilvin View is operated by KDU, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does KDU, Nilvin View produce?

KDU, Nilvin View is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does KDU, Nilvin View supply?

Public supplier disclosures record KDU, Nilvin View as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does KDU, Nilvin View receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,770 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (482 mm).

How does KDU, Nilvin View compare with estates at a similar elevation?

KDU, Nilvin View recorded 2,770 mm in 2025, 58% more rain than the 1,748 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].