In short: Hiniduma Hills is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at 29 metres above sea level and known to supply Finlays.
Hiniduma Hills is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an elevation of just 29 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, one of the major operators in the global tea trade. The operator of the estate is not publicly documented in available trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 29 metres above sea level, Hiniduma Hills occupies the lowest tier of Sri Lanka's tea-growing elevations, well within the low-grown category that typically extends from sea level to around 600 metres. Estates at this altitude generally experience warmer, more humid conditions than their mid- or high-grown counterparts, with less diurnal temperature variation. These warmer growing conditions tend to accelerate the growth cycle, often resulting in faster flush intervals and higher yields per hectare.
The Southern Province's coastal proximity and lower elevation typically favour a climate that supports vigorous vegetative growth. Low-grown Ceylon teas from this altitude band are generally characterised by faster oxidation rates during manufacture and a leaf chemistry that tends to emphasise strength and colour in the cup. Rainfall patterns in low-grown southern districts often differ from the classic monsoonal rhythms of the central highlands, with estates in this zone sometimes benefiting from more evenly distributed precipitation throughout much of the year.
Tea Produced
Hiniduma Hills produces black tea, consistent with the dominant manufacture style across Sri Lanka's low-grown estates. Teas from this elevation and region typically yield a brisk, full-bodied cup with strong colour and robust flavour, characteristics that have historically made low-grown Ceylon a staple in blended breakfast teas and value segments. Estates at this altitude generally produce leaf that lacks the delicate aromatics or bright, snappy character associated with higher elevations, instead offering a more straightforward, malty profile with good astringency and depth of colour. The cup character tends to be reliable and consistent, qualities that appeal to buyers seeking volume and blending strength.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Hiniduma Hills is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea and horticulture business with global sourcing, blending, and distribution operations. Finlays' position in the supply chain—spanning estate ownership, third-party sourcing, and provision of tea to major retail and foodservice brands—suggests that Hiniduma Hills' output is likely destined for blended products or branded tea lines rather than single-estate retail. The relationship places the estate within a commercial supply network serving volume buyers, consistent with the profile of many low-grown Sri Lankan producers whose teas underpin everyday blends in export markets.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Hiniduma Hills lies at 6.3398, 80.3447 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 29 m elevation is the joint 86th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Jasmine Valley — under 1 km away
- Sihara — 2.1 km away
- Andaradeniya Estate, Batuwangala — 3.5 km away
- Suviska — 4.0 km away
- Neluwa Medagama — 4.0 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Hiniduma Hills
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Hiniduma Hills (29 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Hiniduma Hills recorded 3,509 mm in 2025, 43% more than the 2,447 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JALINGA | Rosekandi Grant Pt II, India | 29 m | 3,003 mm | 30.3 °C |
| Kobayashi Aracha Factory | Kikugawa, Japan | 29 m | 1,920 mm | 21.0 °C |
| Galaboda | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 29 m | 2,837 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Rajnagar Tea Estate Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 30 m | 2,536 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Aeon Commodities Pvt Ltd | Nilhat House 2nd Floor, India | 28 m | 1,939 mm | 30.3 °C |
Hiniduma Hills Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Hiniduma Hills is wetter than 93% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 65% of the others by elevation; warmer than 80% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Hiniduma Hills 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 | Hiniduma Hills | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 29 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,509 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.1 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.3 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Hiniduma Hills (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Hiniduma Hills’s coordinates recorded 3,509 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (492 mm) and the driest was February (111 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.1 °C and overnight lows 23.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,509 mm |
| Wettest month | November (492 mm) |
| Driest month | February (111 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hiniduma Hills located?
Hiniduma Hills is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.3398, 80.3447, at an elevation of about 29 metres.
What type of tea does Hiniduma Hills produce?
Hiniduma Hills is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Hiniduma Hills supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Hiniduma Hills as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Hiniduma Hills receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,509 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (492 mm).
How does Hiniduma Hills compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Hiniduma Hills recorded 3,509 mm in 2025, 43% more rain than the 2,447 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].