Sanora

Sanora is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 77 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, a major player in the global tea trade. The operator of the estate is not publicly recorded.

Terroir & Climate

At 77 metres above sea level, Sanora occupies the low-grown category of Sri Lankan tea production. Estates at this elevation typically experience warmer ambient temperatures and a faster rate of vegetative growth than their high-elevation counterparts, characteristics that tend to favour rapid leaf turnover and higher yields. The latitude—close to 7°N—places the estate firmly within the tropical wet zone, where year-round warmth and ample rainfall generally support continuous cropping cycles with little seasonal dormancy.

Low-grown districts in Sri Lanka's interior provinces often benefit from alluvial soils and sheltered microclimates, conditions that can encourage vigorous flush production. The lack of the cooling effect found at altitude means that withering and fermentation during manufacture tend to proceed more quickly, a factor that processors typically account for in managing oxidation schedules. While specific soil composition and rainfall patterns at Sanora are not documented, estates in this elevation band generally produce teas that reflect the faster metabolic activity of the leaf in a warmer environment.

Tea Produced

Sanora produces black tea, the dominant style from Sri Lankan low-grown regions. Teas from estates at this altitude and latitude typically yield a full-bodied, robust cup with pronounced strength and colour, characteristics that lend themselves well to blending. The warmer growing conditions generally result in bolder, more straightforward flavour profiles compared to the brisk, aromatic complexity associated with high-elevation Ceylon teas. Low-grown Ceylon blacks are often prized by blenders for their consistency, depth, and ability to carry milk, making them a staple in breakfast blends and value retail segments worldwide.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Sanora is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and beverage businesses, with operations spanning sourcing, blending, packing, and brand ownership. Finlays' presence as a buyer indicates that Sanora's output meets the quality and traceability standards required by a major multinational with long-standing relationships across the Sri Lankan tea sector. This connection places the estate within a global supply chain serving retail brands, foodservice, and out-of-home channels, though the specific end-markets for Sanora's tea have not been disclosed.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Sanora lies at 6.7479, 80.4307 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 77 m elevation is the 61st highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Hidellana Tea Factory — 6.3 km away · Ratnapura
• Ferndale — 6.3 km away
• KDU, Peak Paradise — 6.5 km away
• Balangoda Plantations, Palm Garden — 6.6 km away
• Non Pareil — 6.9 km away · Ratnapura

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Sanora

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Sanora (77 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Sanora recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 68% more than the 2,647 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
Euro Asia Tea Factory Ltd	Panchagarh, Bangladesh	77 m	2,582 mm	29.2 °C
Shennong Tea Co., Ltd.	Hunan Province, China	78 m	1,030 mm	24.1 °C
BAGHMARI	Assam, India	78 m	2,876 mm	28.6 °C
DIFFLOO	Assam, India	78 m	2,735 mm	29.2 °C
Palindanuwara	Western Province, Sri Lanka	78 m	4,010 mm	29.1 °C

Sanora Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province

In Sabaragamuwa Province, Sanora is wetter than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 81% of the others by elevation; warmer than 73% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Sanora 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	Sanora	Region median	Region range
Elevation	77 m	167 m	26 to 1,355 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	4,458 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	22.6 °C	21.9 °C	15.7 to 23.0 °C

Observed Climate at Sanora (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Sanora’s coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (662 mm) and the driest was February (80 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.0 °C and overnight lows 22.6 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	4,458 mm
Wettest month	November (662 mm)
Driest month	February (80 mm)
Mean daily high	30.0 °C
Mean overnight low	22.6 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sanora located?

Sanora is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.7479, 80.4307, at an elevation of about 77 metres.

What type of tea does Sanora produce?

Sanora is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Sanora supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Sanora as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Sanora receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (662 mm).

How does Sanora compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Sanora recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 68% more rain than the 2,647 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].