In short: Paragodakanda is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, located at 12 metres above sea level and known to supply Finlays.
Paragodakanda is a tea estate situated in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an altitude of just 12 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays. Operating at near sea level, Paragodakanda represents the low-grown category of Ceylon tea production, a segment of the island's output distinct from the more widely promoted high-elevation gardens.
Terroir & Climate
At 12 metres above sea level, Paragodakanda occupies one of the lowest elevation bands in Sri Lankan tea cultivation. Estates at this altitude typically experience warmer, more humid conditions year-round than their mid- or high-grown counterparts, with less diurnal temperature variation. These coastal lowland environments generally support faster vegetative growth and more frequent plucking cycles, with leaf flush occurring almost continuously rather than in response to cooler dry periods.
Southern Province low-grown teas tend to develop under consistent warmth and moisture, conditions that typically favour vigorous growth and higher yields. The lack of cool nights and mist—hallmarks of elevation—means that leaf maturation generally proceeds more rapidly, and the biochemical profile of the flush often differs markedly from that of upcountry leaf. Estates in this latitude and altitude range commonly contend with monsoonal rainfall patterns that can influence both harvest schedules and processing choices.
Tea Produced
As a low-grown black tea producer, Paragodakanda's output typically falls within the robust, full-bodied style characteristic of Sri Lankan sea-level estates. Teas from this elevation band generally yield a darker liquor with strong, straightforward flavour and good colour, qualities that tend to suit blending applications and markets where strength and consistency are prioritised over the delicate complexity associated with high-elevation leaf. The black teas produced at this altitude often exhibit malty or earthy notes, with less of the bright, brisk astringency that defines Ceylon's celebrated high-growns.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Paragodakanda is recorded as supplying Finlays, the vertically integrated tea company with plantation, processing, blending, and distribution operations across multiple origins. Finlays' presence in the supply chain suggests that Paragodakanda's output is channelled through an established procurement network serving international blenders and packaged-tea brands. Low-grown Ceylon black teas of this profile are commonly directed toward bulk markets and branded blends where colour, body, and price competitiveness are valued, rather than single-estate or specialty retail.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Paragodakanda lies at 6.0383, 80.3909 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 12 m elevation is the joint 119th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Seranya — under 1 km away
- Muswenna — 3.4 km away
- Etabegahawila — 3.9 km away
- Iththagala — 3.9 km away
- Naindawa — 4.5 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Paragodakanda
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Paragodakanda (12 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Paragodakanda recorded 2,612 mm in 2025, 9% more than the 2,401 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameenabad Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,447 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Amrail Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,201 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Sungma Tea Estate | Camac Street, India | 12 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
| M.K. Shah Exports Ltd. | Justice Dwarkanath Road, India | 12 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
| Brombil Tea Factory | Horawela - Pelawatte - Pitigala Rd, Sri Lanka | 12 m | 3,642 mm | 30.0 °C |
Paragodakanda Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Paragodakanda is drier than 83% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 91% of the others by elevation; cooler than 74% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Paragodakanda 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 | Paragodakanda | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 12 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,612 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.7 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Paragodakanda (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Paragodakanda’s coordinates recorded 2,612 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (450 mm) and the driest was February (76 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.5 °C and overnight lows 23.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,612 mm |
| Wettest month | November (450 mm) |
| Driest month | February (76 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Paragodakanda located?
Paragodakanda is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.0383, 80.3909, at an elevation of about 12 metres.
What type of tea does Paragodakanda produce?
Paragodakanda is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Paragodakanda supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Paragodakanda as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Paragodakanda receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,612 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (450 mm).
How does Paragodakanda compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Paragodakanda recorded 2,612 mm in 2025, 9% more rain than the 2,401 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].