Ayesh

Ayesh is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at an altitude of just 24 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, a major tea packer and distributor. The operator of the estate is not publicly recorded in available trade data.

Terroir & Climate

At 24 metres above sea level, Ayesh occupies one of the lowest elevations at which tea is commercially cultivated in Sri Lanka. Estates at such low altitudes in the Southern Province typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with limited diurnal temperature variation compared to the island's renowned high-grown districts. These conditions generally favour rapid vegetative growth and year-round cropping cycles, though the leaf character tends to differ markedly from that of mid- and high-elevation gardens.

Low-grown Sri Lankan tea estates in coastal or near-coastal zones often contend with higher ambient temperatures and monsoonal rainfall patterns that can influence flush timing and leaf chemistry. The Southern Province's proximity to the Indian Ocean means that estates at this elevation are generally subject to maritime influences, which can moderate temperature extremes but also contribute to higher humidity levels during the southwest monsoon season.

Tea Produced

As a low-grown black tea producer, Ayesh typically yields teas with the robust, full-bodied character for which Sri Lanka's low-elevation districts are known. Teas from estates at this altitude generally produce a darker liquor and a stronger, more astringent cup than their high-grown counterparts, often with less aromatic complexity but greater colour and body. Such teas are frequently destined for blending programmes where strength and consistency are valued, and they tend to perform well in applications requiring milk or as a base for flavoured tea products.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Ayesh is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with a significant presence across the global tea supply chain. Finlays operates as both a grower and a packer, sourcing teas from estates in multiple origins for blending, packing, and distribution to retail and foodservice customers worldwide. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that Ayesh's output is directed into commercial blending streams, where low-grown Sri Lankan teas are valued for their consistency, strength, and colour contribution.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Ayesh lies at 6.2242, 80.1910 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 24 m elevation is the joint 96th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Eramulla — under 1 km away
• Agilma — 2.0 km away
• Rekadahena — 2.4 km away
• Wathurawila Tea Estate — 4.5 km away · Mapalagama - Elpitiya Rd
• BADDEGAMA IDIGASKATIYA — 6.3 km away · Baddegama

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Ayesh

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Ayesh (24 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Ayesh recorded 3,440 mm in 2025, 12% more than the 3,065 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
Uruwela	Southern Province, Sri Lanka	24 m	2,584 mm	30.4 °C
Horana Plantations, Mihirigeekele	Western Province, Sri Lanka	24 m	4,024 mm	29.7 °C
Chandpur Belgaon tea Estate Factory	Chattogram, Bangladesh	25 m	2,165 mm	29.7 °C
Lalchand tea Factory	Habiganj, Bangladesh	23 m	1,852 mm	30.2 °C
Kayu Aro	Jambi, Indonesia	23 m	4,698 mm	30.4 °C

Ayesh Compared with Southern Province

In Southern Province, Ayesh is wetter than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 76% of the others by elevation; cooler than 51% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Ayesh against the 133 other estates we map in Southern Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	Ayesh	Region median	Region range
Elevation	24 m	49 m	6 to 806 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	3,440 mm	3,022 mm	2,210 to 3,589 mm
Mean daily high	29.8 °C	29.8 °C	25.9 to 30.5 °C
Mean overnight low	22.7 °C	22.6 °C	18.2 to 24.1 °C

Observed Climate at Ayesh (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Ayesh’s coordinates recorded 3,440 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (484 mm) and the driest was February (78 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.8 °C and overnight lows 22.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	3,440 mm
Wettest month	November (484 mm)
Driest month	February (78 mm)
Mean daily high	29.8 °C
Mean overnight low	22.7 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ayesh located?

Ayesh is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2242, 80.1910, at an elevation of about 24 metres.

What type of tea does Ayesh produce?

Ayesh is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Ayesh supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Ayesh as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Ayesh receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,440 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (484 mm).

How does Ayesh compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Ayesh recorded 3,440 mm in 2025, 12% more rain than the 3,065 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].