In short: Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Uva Province at 972 metres, operated by Balangoda Plantations, Debedde and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is a black tea estate situated in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 972 metres. The estate is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Debedde and is recorded as supplying the international tea merchant Finlays.
Terroir & Climate
At 972 metres, Debedde occupies a mid-elevation band where estates in Sri Lanka's Uva Province typically experience a distinct monsoonal pattern. This elevation generally allows for a balance between the cooler, slower growth of higher-altitude gardens and the vigour characteristic of lower-lying tea lands. Estates in this zone often benefit from the seasonal dry winds that sweep through Uva during the mid-year months, which can concentrate flavour compounds in the leaf.
The latitude of approximately 6.96°N places Debedde well within the tropical belt, where year-round warmth supports continuous vegetative growth. Uva Province is subject to two monsoon seasons, and gardens at this elevation tend to experience alternating wet and dry periods that influence flush quality and the intensity of the made tea. The interplay of altitude, aspect, and seasonal weather typically shapes the character of Uva teas, although specific outcomes depend on management and processing decisions at the estate level.
Tea Produced
Debedde produces black tea, the dominant type in Sri Lanka's mid-elevation Uva gardens. Estates in this region at similar altitudes typically yield teas with a brisk, assertive character, often marked by a degree of astringency and body. Uva teas from the mid-year dry season are generally noted for their pronounced flavour and aromatic intensity, though cup profile varies with processing and the specific conditions of each harvest. Buyers seeking robust, characterful Ceylon blacks often turn to Uva-grown leaf during its peak season.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Debedde is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and beverage businesses with a substantial footprint in sourcing, blending, and distribution. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that Debedde's output enters global supply chains serving both retail brands and the food-service sector. Finlays' procurement network spans multiple origins, and estates on its supplier roster are typically expected to meet volume and consistency benchmarks that align with the demands of large-scale blending and branded tea programmes.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Debedde. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde lies at 6.9606, 81.1024 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 972 m elevation is the 21st highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse — 2.0 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Telebedde — 4.8 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Spring Valley Group — 6.2 km away
- Namunukula Plantations, Gonakelle — 6.2 km away
- Rathkelle Tea Estate — 6.4 km away · Hingurugama Complex
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Balangoda Plantations, Debedde
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Balangoda Plantations, Debedde (972 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Balangoda Plantations, Debedde recorded 2,709 mm in 2025, 23% more than the 2,196 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satemwa Tea Estates Limited, Satemwa | Thyolo, Malawi | 974 m | 1,525 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Ambootia | West Bengal, India | 979 m | 2,805 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Bah Butong Estate | Simalungun Regency, Indonesia | 979 m | 2,437 mm | 25.5 °C |
| Yixian Qingye Tea Farm Co. Ltd - Refining and primary processing | Menglian County, China | 964 m | 1,688 mm | 26.6 °C |
| Pussellawa Plantations, Rothschild | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 983 m | 2,526 mm | 24.9 °C |
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is wetter than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 74% of the others by elevation; warmer than 74% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Balangoda Plantations, Debedde against the 27 other estates we map in Uva Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Balangoda Plantations, Debedde | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 972 m | 1,169 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,709 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.2 °C | 25.1 °C | 22.4 to 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.7 °C | 16.4 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Balangoda Plantations, Debedde (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Balangoda Plantations, Debedde’s coordinates recorded 2,709 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (664 mm) and the driest was May (58 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.2 °C and overnight lows 17.7 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,709 mm |
| Wettest month | November (664 mm) |
| Driest month | May (58 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balangoda Plantations, Debedde located?
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9606, 81.1024, at an elevation of about 972 metres.
Who operates Balangoda Plantations, Debedde?
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Debedde, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Balangoda Plantations, Debedde produce?
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Balangoda Plantations, Debedde supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Balangoda Plantations, Debedde as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Balangoda Plantations, Debedde receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,709 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (664 mm).
How does Balangoda Plantations, Debedde compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Balangoda Plantations, Debedde recorded 2,709 mm in 2025, 23% more rain than the 2,196 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].
