In short: Kallumalay is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Western Province, situated at approximately 17 metres above sea level, and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kallumalay is a tea estate situated in Sri Lanka's Western Province at an elevation of approximately 17 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the established names in the global tea trade. The operator of the estate is not currently identified in available trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 17 metres above sea level, Kallumalay occupies one of the lowest-elevation positions of any tea-growing site in Sri Lanka, a country better known for its high-grown estates. At this latitude and elevation, estates typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with little seasonal temperature variation. Such low-altitude environments in Sri Lanka's Western Province generally benefit from consistent moisture, though the absence of cool nights and diurnal temperature swings means the leaf metabolism tends to proceed more rapidly than in the hill country.
Estates at this elevation generally produce a faster-growing flush, with less concentration of certain secondary metabolites that accumulate more slowly in cooler, higher sites. The Western Province climate typically supports vigorous vegetative growth, and low-grown teas from the region are often characterised by a different profile to the island's celebrated high-grown offerings. The flat terrain and proximity to sea level tend to result in teas that are processed for strength and colour rather than the delicate aromatics associated with altitude.
Tea Produced
Kallumalay produces black tea, the dominant style across Sri Lanka's diverse elevations. Low-grown Ceylon black teas typically yield a robust, full-bodied cup with good colour and strength, though they generally lack the bright, complex aromatics and briskness associated with the island's high-grown estates. Teas from estates at this elevation are often valued in blends for their body and depth of colour, characteristics that tend to be prized in certain export markets and in applications where strength is prioritised over nuance.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kallumalay is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with interests spanning production, blending, and distribution. Finlays operates estates and sources from third-party producers across multiple origins, suggesting that Kallumalay's output enters a supply chain that serves both branded and private-label buyers in various markets. The fact that the estate supplies a company of this scale indicates its integration into established commercial channels, though the specifics of volume, contract terms, and end markets are not disclosed in available records.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kallumalay lies at 6.6337, 80.1848 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 17 m elevation is the joint 15th highest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Horana Plantations, Mihirigeekele — 1.8 km away
- Bulathsinhala — 6.6 km away
- H P P, H P P Tea — 6.6 km away
- Udapussellawa Plantations, Blairlomond — 9.3 km away
- Rathmalgoda — 13 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kallumalay
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kallumalay (17 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kallumalay recorded 4,024 mm in 2025, 110% more than the 1,916 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allynugger Tea Estate | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 17 m | 2,300 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Balishira tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 17 m | 2,123 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Zhejiang Chunan New Continent Tea Co. Ltd. | Xihu Dadao, China | 17 m | 1,470 mm | 24.3 °C |
| Gunawardena | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 17 m | 2,584 mm | 30.4 °C |
| Hadong Tea Factory | Ulju-gun, Korea Republic Of | 16 m | 1,102 mm | 19.5 °C |
Kallumalay Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Kallumalay is wetter than 90% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 71% of the others by elevation; cooler than 62% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kallumalay 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 | Kallumalay | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 17 m | 24 m | 9 to 1,272 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,024 mm | 3,756 mm | 2,624 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.7 °C | 29.7 °C | 22.7 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.3 °C | 22.5 °C | 15.8 to 23.6 °C |
Observed Climate at Kallumalay (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kallumalay’s coordinates recorded 4,024 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (599 mm) and the driest was February (62 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.7 °C and overnight lows 22.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,024 mm |
| Wettest month | November (599 mm) |
| Driest month | February (62 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kallumalay located?
Kallumalay is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.6337, 80.1848, at an elevation of about 17 metres.
What type of tea does Kallumalay produce?
Kallumalay is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kallumalay supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kallumalay as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kallumalay receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,024 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (599 mm).
How does Kallumalay compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kallumalay recorded 4,024 mm in 2025, 110% more rain than the 1,916 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].