In short: Galathara is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Western Province, operating at 9 metres above sea level and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Galathara is a tea estate situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, operating at an elevation of just 9 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's major tea and beverage companies. The operating company is not publicly documented.
Terroir & Climate
At 9 metres above sea level, Galathara occupies a coastal lowland position within Sri Lanka's Western Province, placing it firmly in the island's low-grown tea belt. Estates at this elevation typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with limited diurnal temperature variation compared to mid- or high-grown zones. The lower altitude generally promotes faster vegetative growth and higher yields, though the leaf character tends to differ from the slower-maturing, more complex profiles associated with higher elevations.
Low-grown Sri Lankan estates in coastal and near-coastal districts often contend with heavier monsoon rainfall and consistently high temperatures, factors that can drive vigorous flush cycles. The terroir at this altitude typically favours robust, full-bodied black teas with straightforward character, suited to blending and commercial markets where strength and colour are prioritised over nuance.
Tea Produced
Galathara produces black tea, the dominant category for low-grown Sri Lankan estates. Teas from this elevation band typically yield a bold, malty cup with good strength and colour, though they generally lack the bright, brisk complexity of high-grown Ceylon teas. The style is often well-suited to breakfast blends and applications where body and astringency are valued, and the leaf character tends to be straightforward rather than aromatic or floral.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Galathara is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with extensive sourcing, blending, and packing operations globally. Finlays supplies own-label and branded tea to supermarkets, foodservice operators, and tea brands across Europe, North America, and beyond. The estate's presence in Finlays' supply chain suggests it produces volume black tea suited to the commercial blending market, where consistency, strength, and competitive pricing are key.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Galathara lies at 6.4063, 80.1030 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 9 m elevation is the lowest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kumudu — 3.1 km away
- New J S P — 8.8 km away
- Evergreen Group, Lihiniyawa — 9.4 km away
- Renukanda Tea Estate — 11 km away · B158
- Aruna — 12 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Galathara
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Galathara (9 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Galathara recorded 3,745 mm in 2025, 126% more than the 1,656 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baikuntopur tea Factory | Habiganj, Bangladesh | 9 m | 1,654 mm | 30.4 °C |
| Aminabadh tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 9 m | 2,718 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Shaoxing Jianming Tea Industry Co., Ltd. | Shangyu City, China | 9 m | 1,306 mm | 24.2 °C |
| Halssen \u0026 Lyon Gmbh | Hamburg, Germany | 9 m | 742 mm | 14.3 °C |
| GOODRICKE GROUP LIMITED | GURUSADAY ROAD, India | 9 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
Galathara Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Galathara is drier than 62% of the others by 2025 rainfall; the lowest of the 22 estates by elevation; warmer than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Galathara against the 21 other estates we map in Western Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Galathara | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 9 m | 24 m | 10 to 1,272 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,745 mm | 3,822 mm | 2,624 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.9 °C | 29.7 °C | 22.7 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.8 °C | 22.4 °C | 15.8 to 23.6 °C |
Observed Climate at Galathara (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Galathara’s coordinates recorded 3,745 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (455 mm) and the driest was February (101 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.9 °C and overnight lows 22.8 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,745 mm |
| Wettest month | November (455 mm) |
| Driest month | February (101 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Galathara located?
Galathara is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.4063, 80.1030, at an elevation of about 9 metres.
What type of tea does Galathara produce?
Galathara is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Galathara supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Galathara as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Galathara receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,745 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (455 mm).
How does Galathara compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Galathara recorded 3,745 mm in 2025, 126% more rain than the 1,656 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].