In short: Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operated by Evergreen Group and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is a black tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 153 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Evergreen Group and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major global tea supplier and trader.
Terroir & Climate
At 153 metres, this estate occupies the low-grown tier of Sri Lankan tea production, a category that typically experiences warmer temperatures and faster vegetative growth than mid- or high-elevation counterparts. Estates in the Southern Province at similar altitudes generally benefit from the region's relatively high humidity and year-round warmth, which can encourage vigorous flush cycles and a shorter withering period during manufacture.
Low-grown Sri Lankan estates tend to produce leaf that is bolder and more robust in character than the lighter, more nuanced teas associated with higher elevations. The proximity to sea level and the influence of monsoonal rainfall patterns in this latitude often result in teas that prioritise body and strength over floral delicacy, a profile that aligns well with the blending requirements of international buyers.
Tea Produced
Kanneliya produces black tea, the dominant style across Sri Lanka's low-grown zones. Estates at this elevation typically yield a full-bodied, malty cup with robust astringency and darker liquor, characteristics that make low-grown Ceylon teas well suited to blending applications and to markets that favour strength and colour over aromatic complexity. The teas are generally less fragrant than high-grown Ceylon but offer consistency and depth, qualities prized by large-scale buyers and packers.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea companies with a vertically integrated operation spanning estates, blending, packing, and distribution. Finlays' presence in the buyer list indicates that Kanneliya's production is likely destined for branded retail and foodservice channels in Europe, North America, and other major consumer markets. This relationship suggests the estate operates within the commercial mainstream of Sri Lankan tea, where volume, consistency, and food-safety compliance are key competitive factors.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Evergreen Group operates this estate alongside six other properties recorded in the directory, marking it as a significant multi-estate operator within the Sri Lankan industry. The presence of a portfolio of this scale typically implies centralised quality control, shared processing infrastructure, and consolidated relationships with international buyers, all of which can offer efficiencies in both production and marketing.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya lies at 6.2179, 80.3380 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 153 m elevation is the 31st highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mahaliyadda — 2.5 km away
- Sineth — 5.4 km away
- Evergreen Group, Thalangaha — 7.6 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella — 7.9 km away
- Kudamalana — 7.9 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Evergreen Group, Kanneliya
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Evergreen Group, Kanneliya (153 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Evergreen Group, Kanneliya recorded 3,234 mm in 2025, 11% more than the 2,922 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pengaree | Assam, India | 153 m | 2,841 mm | 28.7 °C |
| Aennen | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 153 m | 3,269 mm | 29.4 °C |
| Coombergram | PO KUMBHIRCACHAR ASSAM 788 108 Jorhat, India | 155 m | 3,190 mm | 29.1 °C |
| Kahawatte Plantations, Opatha | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 155 m | 3,902 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Anhui Huangshan United Keemun Tea Co., Ltd. - Office and Factory | Anhui Huangshan Eoconomic Development Zone, China | 149 m | 1,408 mm | 24.6 °C |
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is wetter than 69% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 77% of the others by elevation; warmer than 85% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Evergreen Group, Kanneliya 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 | Evergreen Group, Kanneliya | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 153 m | 46 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,234 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Evergreen Group, Kanneliya (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Evergreen Group, Kanneliya’s coordinates recorded 3,234 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (500 mm) and the driest was February (69 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.2 °C and overnight lows 22.5 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,234 mm |
| Wettest month | November (500 mm) |
| Driest month | February (69 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Evergreen Group, Kanneliya located?
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2179, 80.3380, at an elevation of about 153 metres.
Who operates Evergreen Group, Kanneliya?
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is operated by Evergreen Group, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Evergreen Group, Kanneliya produce?
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Evergreen Group, Kanneliya supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Evergreen Group, Kanneliya as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Evergreen Group, Kanneliya receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,234 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (500 mm).
How does Evergreen Group, Kanneliya compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Evergreen Group, Kanneliya recorded 3,234 mm in 2025, 11% more rain than the 2,922 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].