In short: Nehinigala is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, situated at 31 metres above sea level and recorded as a supplier to Finlays.
Nehinigala is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an altitude of just 31 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, the global tea and horticulture company. Its low-elevation position places it well outside the classical high-grown districts for which Sri Lankan tea is most internationally renowned.
Terroir & Climate
At 31 metres above sea level, Nehinigala occupies the low-grown tier of Sri Lankan tea production, a category that typically experiences warmer temperatures and higher humidity than the celebrated mid- and high-elevation zones of the central highlands. Estates at this altitude generally contend with faster growth cycles and more vigorous flush, conditions that tend to favour volume and strength over the nuanced aromatics associated with cooler, slower-maturing leaf.
The Southern Province's coastal proximity and low relief typically mean more consistent warmth year-round, with less pronounced seasonal variation than the interior uplands. Such conditions generally produce a bolder, more astringent leaf, though the specifics of microclimate, soil composition, and cultivation practice will shape the character of any given garden's output.
Tea Produced
Nehinigala produces black tea, the dominant category across Sri Lanka's low-grown estates. Teas from this elevation band typically yield a full-bodied, robust cup with pronounced colour and strength, characteristics that have historically made low-grown Ceylon teas well suited to blending. Estates in the Southern Province at similar altitudes often deliver teas with brisk, malty notes and firm tannin structure, though cup character will vary with processing decisions and seasonal conditions.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Nehinigala is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major vertically integrated player in the global tea trade with its own estates, blending facilities, and distribution networks. This relationship suggests the estate's production enters a sophisticated supply chain serving both branded and private-label markets worldwide. Finlays' sourcing from Nehinigala places the estate within a network that prioritises consistency, traceability, and the ability to meet volume commitments for international buyers.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Nehinigala lies at 6.1383, 80.2732 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 31 m elevation is the joint 83rd highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Davidson — 1.6 km away
- Imbulgahagoda — 1.7 km away
- Ruwanthanne — 1.8 km away
- Rathna — 2.3 km away
- Hill Side, Hillside Group — 2.5 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Nehinigala
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Nehinigala (31 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Nehinigala recorded 3,412 mm in 2025, 30% more than the 2,619 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suizhou Shennong Tea Co., Ltd. | No.66 Jiqing St, China | 31 m | 1,354 mm | 23.4 °C |
| Rajnagar Tea Estate Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 30 m | 2,536 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Marumatsu Tea Co., Ltd. | Shizuoka, Japan | 30 m | 1,920 mm | 21.0 °C |
| Sithaka Tea Factory | Colombo District, Sri Lanka | 30 m | 3,736 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Hafiz Tea Estate | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 33 m | 3,547 mm | 29.9 °C |
Nehinigala Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Nehinigala is wetter than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 62% of the others by elevation; cooler than 51% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Nehinigala 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 | Nehinigala | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 31 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,412 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 | 22.5 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Nehinigala (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Nehinigala’s coordinates recorded 3,412 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (533 mm) and the driest was February (78 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.8 °C and overnight lows 22.5 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,412 mm |
| Wettest month | November (533 mm) |
| Driest month | February (78 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nehinigala located?
Nehinigala is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.1383, 80.2732, at an elevation of about 31 metres.
What type of tea does Nehinigala produce?
Nehinigala is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Nehinigala supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Nehinigala as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Nehinigala receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,412 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (533 mm).
How does Nehinigala compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Nehinigala recorded 3,412 mm in 2025, 30% more rain than the 2,619 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].