In short: Susantha is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Susantha is a tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, situated at 79 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, one of the largest buyers and processors in the global tea trade. The operator is not currently recorded in trade directories.
Terroir & Climate
At 79 metres elevation, Susantha sits well within Sri Lanka's low-grown classification, which typically extends from sea level to approximately 600 metres. Estates at this altitude generally experience warmer, more humid conditions than their mid- or high-grown counterparts, with less diurnal temperature variation. The Southern Province's coastal proximity tends to bring consistent rainfall and relatively stable temperatures year-round, supporting continuous flush cycles.
Low-grown Ceylon estates often produce teas that grow quickly under these warm conditions, yielding leaf that is typically fuller-bodied and more robust in the cup than the lighter, more delicate character associated with high elevations. The lack of cool nights and mist, which slow growth at altitude, generally results in a faster metabolism in the leaf and a different polyphenol profile.
Tea Produced
Susantha produces black tea, the dominant output of Sri Lanka's low-grown estates. Teas from this elevation band typically offer a strong, brisk liquor with good colour and body, often suited to blending for breakfast-style offerings and robust everyday teas. Low-grown Ceylon is generally less prized for nuance or floral notes than high-grown leaf, but tends to deliver consistency, strength and the full-bodied character that many mainstream markets require.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Susantha is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea group with plantation, processing and blending operations across multiple origins. Finlays' presence as a buyer suggests that Susantha's output enters a global supply chain serving major retail and foodservice brands. Low-grown Sri Lankan tea of this type is often destined for blends and bagged products where strength, colour and consistency are valued over single-estate provenance.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Susantha lies at 6.3063, 80.2836 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 79 m elevation is the 55th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Andaradeniya Estate, Ruhunu, Porawagama — 6.4 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella — 6.9 km away
- Kudamalana — 6.9 km away
- Sirimevana — 6.9 km away
- Jasmine Valley — 7.6 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Susantha
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Susantha (79 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Susantha recorded 3,310 mm in 2025, 16% more than the 2,850 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shennong Tea Co., Ltd. | Hunan Province, China | 78 m | 1,030 mm | 24.1 °C |
| BAGHMARI | Assam, India | 78 m | 2,876 mm | 28.6 °C |
| Dhulapadung | Assam, India | 80 m | 3,305 mm | 28.7 °C |
| Euro Asia Tea Factory Ltd | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 77 m | 2,582 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Sanora | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 77 m | 4,458 mm | 30.0 °C |
Susantha Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Susantha is wetter than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 59% of the others by elevation; warmer than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Susantha 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 | Susantha | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 79 m | 46 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,310 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.7 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Susantha (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Susantha’s coordinates recorded 3,310 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (493 mm) and the driest was February (66 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.0 °C and overnight lows 22.7 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,310 mm |
| Wettest month | November (493 mm) |
| Driest month | February (66 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Susantha located?
Susantha is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.3063, 80.2836, at an elevation of about 79 metres.
What type of tea does Susantha produce?
Susantha is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Susantha supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Susantha as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Susantha receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,310 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (493 mm).
How does Susantha compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Susantha recorded 3,310 mm in 2025, 16% more rain than the 2,850 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].