In short: New Kirimetideniya is a low-elevation black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, recorded as supplying Finlays.
New Kirimetideniya is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an elevation of just 7 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, the multinational tea and horticulture company. The estate's coastal proximity and near-sea-level altitude distinguish it from the island's more famous high-grown tea districts.
Terroir & Climate
At 7 metres above sea level, New Kirimetideniya occupies one of the lowest elevations at which tea is commercially cultivated in Sri Lanka. Estates at this altitude typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with minimal diurnal temperature variation compared to mid- or high-grown districts. The Southern Province's equatorial latitude and coastal influence generally contribute to consistent rainfall patterns, though low-elevation sites tend to be warmer and may experience different seasonal moisture cycles than the central highlands.
Low-grown Sri Lankan teas typically flush rapidly in the warmth, often yielding leaf that is robust and fast-growing. Estates near sea level in this region generally contend with higher ambient temperatures and humidity, factors that can influence both plucking frequency and the enzymatic activity during processing. The terroir here is markedly different from the cool, slow-maturing conditions that characterise the island's Nuwara Eliya or Dimbula zones.
Tea Produced
New Kirimetideniya produces black tea. Low-grown Sri Lankan black teas typically yield a cup that is full-bodied, brisk, and robust, with a darker liquor and stronger astringency than high-grown counterparts. Estates at this elevation often produce leaf suited to blending, prized for colour and strength rather than the delicate aromatics associated with higher altitudes. The rapid growth cycle common to warm, low-altitude environments generally results in teas with bold, straightforward character.
Supply Chain & Market Position
New Kirimetideniya is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major vertically integrated player in the global tea supply chain with operations spanning cultivation, processing, blending, and distribution. Finlays sources from estates across multiple origins and serves retail, foodservice, and branded tea clients worldwide. The estate's appearance in Finlays' supply base suggests its output is directed toward commercial blending and volume markets, where low-grown Sri Lankan black teas are valued for consistency, body, and price competitiveness.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
New Kirimetideniya lies at 6.0697, 80.4821 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 7 m elevation is the 133rd highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Woodland — 2.1 km away
- Nandana — 2.2 km away
- Galaboda — 2.5 km away
- Tippola — 3.5 km away
- S.L.S — 5.7 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to New Kirimetideniya
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match New Kirimetideniya (7 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. New Kirimetideniya recorded 2,837 mm in 2025, 55% more than the 1,828 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brindaban tea Factory | Habiganj, Bangladesh | 7 m | 2,379 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Fujian Firmenich Import \u0026 Export Co., Ltd | Fujian, China | 7 m | 1,489 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Hangzhou Yinquan Tea Industry Co., Ltd. | Yuhang District, China | 7 m | 1,339 mm | 23.7 °C |
| Ceylon Tea Marketing Pvt. Ltd - Factory | Sedawatte Road, Sri Lanka | 7 m | 2,840 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Nshili Kivu Tea Plantations | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania United Republic Of | 7 m | 1,094 mm | 30.4 °C |
New Kirimetideniya Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, New Kirimetideniya is drier than 63% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 99% of the others by elevation; warmer than 85% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets New Kirimetideniya 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 | New Kirimetideniya | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 7 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,837 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 | 22.6 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at New Kirimetideniya (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for New Kirimetideniya’s coordinates recorded 2,837 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (485 mm) and the driest was February (72 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.2 °C and overnight lows 22.6 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,837 mm |
| Wettest month | November (485 mm) |
| Driest month | February (72 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New Kirimetideniya located?
New Kirimetideniya is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.0697, 80.4821, at an elevation of about 7 metres.
What type of tea does New Kirimetideniya produce?
New Kirimetideniya is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does New Kirimetideniya supply?
Public supplier disclosures record New Kirimetideniya as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does New Kirimetideniya receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,837 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (485 mm).
How does New Kirimetideniya compare with estates at a similar elevation?
New Kirimetideniya recorded 2,837 mm in 2025, 55% more rain than the 1,828 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].