In short: Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is a black tea estate in Western Province, Sri Lanka, situated at 69 metres above sea level and known to supply Finlays.
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is a tea estate located in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 69 metres above sea level. The estate is operated under the name Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama and is known to supply Finlays, a major player in the international tea trade. Positioned at low altitude near the western coastal belt of Sri Lanka, the estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At just 69 metres above sea level, Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is classified as a low-grown tea estate, a designation that typically shapes both the growing environment and the character of the leaf. Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka's Western Province generally experience warmer temperatures and higher humidity than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to encourage faster leaf growth and more vigorous vegetative cycles throughout the year.
The Western Province's proximity to the coast often brings consistent rainfall and relatively stable temperatures, factors that can support year-round production. Low-elevation estates in this region typically benefit from rich alluvial soils and a climate that favours rapid flush cycles, though the resultant leaf is generally understood to differ in profile from the slower-grown, more aromatic teas produced at higher altitudes elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
Tea Produced
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon teas from estates at this elevation typically yield a cup that is full-bodied, robust, and darker in colour than high-grown varieties. The faster leaf maturation common at lower altitudes generally results in teas with strong, malty notes and a brisk, straightforward character, often favoured for blending purposes where strength and colour are prioritised over the delicate aromatics associated with higher-elevation production.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with a significant presence in global sourcing, blending, and distribution. Finlays operates across multiple origins and maintains supply relationships with estates producing both bulk and premium-grade teas. The estate's role as a supplier to Finlays suggests it is integrated into a well-established supply chain serving major tea brands and blenders in international markets, though the specific volumes or exclusivity of this relationship are not publicly documented.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama lies at 6.7699, 80.1612 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 69 m elevation is the 7th highest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Rathmalgoda — 4.8 km away
- Udapussellawa Plantations, Blairlomond — 6.6 km away
- Bulathsinhala — 8.8 km away
- H P P, H P P Tea — 8.8 km away
- Horana Plantations, Mihirigeekele — 14 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama (69 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama recorded 3,822 mm in 2025, 72% more than the 2,219 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mcleod Russel India Ltd, Dimakusi Tea Factory | Assam, India | 69 m | 2,775 mm | 29.4 °C |
| Samrin | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 69 m | 3,195 mm | 29.6 °C |
| Zaman Tea Agro Factory | Panchagarh, Bangladesh | 68 m | 2,403 mm | 28.8 °C |
| HUNAN TEA COMPANY | FURONG DISTRICT, China | 70 m | 1,327 mm | 24.7 °C |
| DA ZHANG SHAN TEA CO-OPERATIVE | ZIYANG TOWN, China | 68 m | 1,393 mm | 25.2 °C |
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is wetter than 52% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 71% of the others by elevation; cooler than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama 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 | Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 69 m | 21 m | 9 to 1,272 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,822 mm | 3,756 mm | 2,624 to 4,232 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °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 Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama’s coordinates recorded 3,822 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (608 mm) and the driest was February (65 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.5 °C and overnight lows 22.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,822 mm |
| Wettest month | November (608 mm) |
| Driest month | February (65 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama located?
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.7699, 80.1612, at an elevation of about 69 metres.
Who operates Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama?
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama produce?
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,822 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (608 mm).
How does Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotagala Plantations, Rayigama recorded 3,822 mm in 2025, 72% more rain than the 2,219 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].
