In short: Kirklees Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Udapussellawa, Sri Lanka, operated by Kegalle Plantations and known to supply Equal Exchange.
Kirklees Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Udapussellawa region of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 232 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kegalle Plantations and is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange, a fair-trade importer and distributor.
Terroir & Climate
At 232 metres, Kirklees sits in the low-grown category of Sri Lankan tea production, where the warm, humid conditions typical of lower elevations tend to encourage vigorous vegetative growth and a faster cropping cycle. Estates at this altitude generally experience less pronounced diurnal temperature variation than their high-grown counterparts, and the warmer ambient temperatures often contribute to a more robust, fuller-bodied leaf character.
The Udapussellawa region, though traditionally associated with mid- to high-elevation plantings further inland, encompasses a range of microclimates. At this elevation, the growing environment is typically characterised by higher year-round temperatures and more consistent moisture, conditions that often favour the production of bold, assertive teas suited to blending and value segments of the market.
Tea Produced
Kirklees produces black tea, and at this low elevation the estate's output is likely to yield a cup with the strength, body and briskness characteristic of Sri Lanka's low-grown teas. Estates in this altitude band typically produce liquors that are full-bodied, malty and assertive, with a straightforward, robust character that appeals to blenders and brands seeking consistent, strong-brewing base teas. The leaf is generally suited to CTC or orthodox manufacture for bulk and packeted tea markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kirklees is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative and social enterprise that sources fair-trade and organic products for retail and wholesale markets in North America and the United Kingdom. The presence of Equal Exchange as a known buyer suggests that Kirklees is accessible to ethical-sourcing channels, though no third-party certifications are currently recorded in our directory. The estate's position in Equal Exchange's supply chain indicates it meets at least the commercial and traceability standards expected by mission-driven importers operating in the fair-trade and specialty segments.
- Recorded supplier to Equal Exchange
Operator
Kegalle Plantations operates Kirklees Tea Estate. The company is also recorded as operating one other estate in our directory, indicating a modest portfolio within Sri Lanka's plantation sector. Further details regarding the company's ownership structure, total acreage under management and market positioning are not currently available in our records.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kirklees Tea Estate lies at 7.8731, 80.7718 in Udapussellawa, Sri Lanka. Its 232 m elevation is the joint 221st highest of 421 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Small Organic Farmers\u0027 Association (SOFA) — under 1 km away · Sri Lanka
- Agarapatana Plantations, Diyagama West — 47 km away · Central Province
- Mount Eliza — 50 km away · Central Province
- Ancoombra — 53 km away · Central Province
- Hatale — 56 km away · Central Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kirklees Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kirklees Tea Estate (232 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kirklees Tea Estate recorded 2,205 mm in 2025, 28% more than the 1,723 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kairbetta Estate | Nilgiris, India | 231 m | 745 mm | 34.5 °C |
| Pasgoda | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 231 m | 2,342 mm | 29.6 °C |
| Nilgiri | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 235 m | 2,624 mm | 29.8 °C |
| Yixian Qingye Tea Farm Co. Ltd - final packing and primary processing | Huang Shan, China | 241 m | 1,194 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Huzhou Jiasheng Tea Co., Ltd. | Zhejiang, China | 221 m | 1,708 mm | 22.1 °C |
Kirklees Tea Estate Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, Kirklees Tea Estate is drier than 97% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 53% of the others by elevation; warmer than 99% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kirklees Tea Estate against the 420 other estates we map in Sri Lanka, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Kirklees Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 232 m | 298 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,205 mm | 3,080 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.5 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.1 °C | 21.7 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at Kirklees Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kirklees Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,205 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (570 mm) and the driest was June (23 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.5 °C and overnight lows 23.1 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,205 mm |
| Wettest month | November (570 mm) |
| Driest month | June (23 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 23.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kirklees Tea Estate located?
Kirklees Tea Estate is in Udapussellawa, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.8731, 80.7718, at an elevation of about 232 metres.
Who operates Kirklees Tea Estate?
Kirklees Tea Estate is operated by Kegalle Plantations, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kirklees Tea Estate produce?
Kirklees Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kirklees Tea Estate supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kirklees Tea Estate as supplying Equal Exchange.
How much rain does Kirklees Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,205 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (570 mm).
How does Kirklees Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kirklees Tea Estate recorded 2,205 mm in 2025, 28% more rain than the 1,723 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].
