In short: Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, operated by Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group and known to supply Sainsbury's.
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, at an elevation of 661 metres. The estate is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group and produces black tea. It is recorded as supplying Sainsbury's, the UK supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 661 metres above sea level, this estate occupies a mid-elevation position within Sri Lanka's Uva Province, a region situated in the south-eastern interior of the island. Uva lies in the rain shadow of the central highlands, and estates in this zone typically experience a pronounced dry period during the south-west monsoon season, from July to September. This seasonal pattern tends to concentrate flavour compounds in the leaf, and the reduced moisture stress during the dry months is often associated with teas of distinctive character.
Elevations in the mid-600-metre range generally fall below the threshold for the slower, cooler maturation that characterises high-grown Ceylon teas, yet they remain above the plains. Estates at this altitude often benefit from moderate diurnal temperature variation and good drainage, conditions that can support consistent cropping and a balance between yield and quality. The interplay of Uva's microclimate and this mid-elevation setting tends to shape a leaf that is robust and amenable to full oxidation.
Tea Produced
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group produces black tea. Uva teas, particularly those made during the dry season, are generally noted for their brisk, assertive character and a tendency toward aromatic complexity. Mid-elevation leaf from this region often yields a cup with good body and colour, though the intensity and subtlety of flavour can vary with the time of harvest and processing methods. Teas from this elevation band in Uva typically display less of the delicate, high-grown fragrance found at higher altitudes, but can offer a forthright, malty profile suited to blending and retail markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Sainsbury's, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship indicates a position within the mainstream grocery supply chain, where consistent volume, quality assurance, and compliance with retailer sourcing standards are key. Supplying a large UK supermarket typically requires the capacity to meet specifications for traceability and reliability, and often involves participation in broader blending and packing operations managed by third-party suppliers or the retailer's own procurement partners.
- Recorded supplier to Sainsbury's
Operator
The estate is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group lies at 6.9934, 81.0550 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Its 661 m elevation is the 27th highest of 28 estates we map in Uva Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Rathkelle Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Hingurugama Complex
- Balangoda Plantations, Telebedde — 4.2 km away
- Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Sarnia Plaiderie — 5.0 km away
- Malwatte Valley Plantations, Dickwella — 6.1 km away
- Balangoda Plantations, Debedde — 6.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group (661 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group recorded 2,744 mm in 2025, 10% more than the 2,489 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatton Plantations, Kenilworth | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 665 m | 3,992 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Balangoda Plantations, Maratenne | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 657 m | 2,664 mm | 26.4 °C |
| Hunan Xiaoxiang Tea Industry Co., Ltd. - Baotian Town | Huitong County, China | 667 m | 1,715 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Kawalazi Tea Estate | D44, Malawi | 653 m | 2,396 mm | 27.2 °C |
| ESPERANZA | Mulanje, Malawi | 643 m | 1,677 mm | 26.9 °C |
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group Compared with Uva Province
In Uva Province, Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is wetter than 96% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 96% of the others by elevation; the warmest of the 28 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group 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, Glen Alpin Group | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 661 m | 1,169 m | 560 to 1,535 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,744 mm | 2,319 mm | 2,188 to 2,899 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C | 25.1 °C | 22.4 to 28.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.3 °C | 16.4 °C | 14.5 to 20.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group’s coordinates recorded 2,744 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (738 mm) and the driest was May (36 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.7 °C and overnight lows 19.3 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,744 mm |
| Wettest month | November (738 mm) |
| Driest month | May (36 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group located?
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9934, 81.0550, at an elevation of about 661 metres.
Who operates Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group?
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is operated by Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group produce?
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group as supplying Sainsbury's.
How much rain does Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,744 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (738 mm).
How does Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Balangoda Plantations, Glen Alpin Group recorded 2,744 mm in 2025, 10% more rain than the 2,489 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].
