In short: Parakaduwa is a low-grown black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at 35 metres elevation, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Parakaduwa is a tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, situated at approximately 35 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, the multinational tea and horticulture group. Its low elevation places it firmly in Sri Lanka's low-grown category, which typically accounts for the majority of the island's volume production.
Terroir & Climate
At 35 metres elevation and within six degrees of the equator, Parakaduwa occupies a warm, humid lowland environment typical of Sri Lanka's low-grown zones. Estates at this altitude generally experience consistently high temperatures and ample rainfall throughout much of the year, conditions that tend to promote rapid vegetative growth and frequent plucking cycles. The lack of significant elevation means the diurnal temperature range is minimal, which typically results in faster-growing leaf with different biochemical characteristics than the slower-maturing growth found in Sri Lanka's high-grown regions.
Sabaragamuwa Province encompasses both mid- and low-grown areas; at 35 metres, Parakaduwa lies at the lower end of this spectrum. Low-grown Sri Lankan estates often benefit from fertile alluvial or coastal soils and the warm climate generally supports year-round production, though monsoon patterns can still influence flush quality and timing. The terroir here tends to favour volume and robustness over the delicate complexity associated with higher elevations.
Tea Produced
Parakaduwa produces black tea, the dominant type across Sri Lanka's low-grown estates. Teas from this elevation band typically yield a full-bodied, brisk cup with strong colour and a straightforward, malty character. Low-grown Ceylon blacks are generally valued for their strength and consistency rather than aromatic complexity, and they tend to perform well in blends where body and astringency are priorities. The rapid growth cycle at lower altitudes often results in leaf that is robust and punchy, well suited to breakfast blends and applications requiring assertive flavour.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Parakaduwa is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with operations spanning estate production, processing, blending and distribution across multiple continents. Finlays sources from numerous origins and operates its own estates and bought-leaf networks, suggesting that Parakaduwa's output enters a global supply chain serving retail brands, foodservice and industrial customers. This connection places the estate within a consolidated tier of the market where volume, consistency and traceability are key commercial drivers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Parakaduwa lies at 6.8215, 80.3038 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 35 m elevation is the 71st highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Galahitiya — 2.4 km away
- KDU, Deerwood — 8.6 km away
- KDU, Peak Paradise — 10 km away
- Kendalanda — 11 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Meddakande — 11 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Parakaduwa
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Parakaduwa (35 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Parakaduwa recorded 4,574 mm in 2025, 119% more than the 2,088 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunan Tea Group, Corporate | Hunan, China | 35 m | 1,348 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Shimen Liziping Tea Professional Cooperative (Shimen Liziping) | Xiangcha High-Tech Industrial Park Xiangcha, China | 35 m | 1,348 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Mulatiyana Tea \u00a0Factory | B98, Sri Lanka | 35 m | 2,491 mm | 30.4 °C |
| KURMAH TEA FACTORY | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 36 m | 2,057 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Captain Garden | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 34 m | 3,195 mm | 29.6 °C |
Parakaduwa Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Parakaduwa is wetter than 96% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 95% of the others by elevation; warmer than 73% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Parakaduwa 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 | Parakaduwa | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 35 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,574 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.9 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Parakaduwa (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Parakaduwa’s coordinates recorded 4,574 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was July (650 mm) and the driest was February (67 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.0 °C and overnight lows 21.9 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,574 mm |
| Wettest month | July (650 mm) |
| Driest month | February (67 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Parakaduwa located?
Parakaduwa is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8215, 80.3038, at an elevation of about 35 metres.
What type of tea does Parakaduwa produce?
Parakaduwa is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Parakaduwa supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Parakaduwa as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Parakaduwa receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,574 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in July (650 mm).
How does Parakaduwa compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Parakaduwa recorded 4,574 mm in 2025, 119% more rain than the 2,088 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].