In short: Kumudu is a black tea estate in Western Province, Sri Lanka, situated at 12 metres altitude and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kumudu is a tea estate located in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at an altitude of just 12 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and coffee businesses. The operating company is not publicly documented.
Terroir & Climate
At 12 metres above sea level, Kumudu occupies an unusually low elevation for a Sri Lankan tea garden, placing it in the country's low-grown category. Estates at this altitude in the Western Province typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with temperatures and moisture levels that encourage rapid vegetative growth. The coastal proximity and minimal altitude generally result in a shorter withering period and faster fermentation during manufacture.
Low-grown Sri Lankan teas tend to develop larger, more vigorous leaves than their high-elevation counterparts, and the warmer growing environment typically accelerates the plucking cycle. Estates in this zone often contend with higher rainfall and more consistent temperatures, which can support year-round production but also demand careful agronomic management to maintain leaf quality and prevent over-flushing.
Tea Produced
Black teas from low-elevation estates in Western Province generally yield a robust, full-bodied cup with strong colour and a straightforward, malty character. Compared to the delicate, bright profiles associated with Sri Lanka's high-grown districts, teas from this altitude band tend to produce darker infusions with greater body and less complexity. These characteristics typically make low-grown Ceylon black teas well suited to blending, where strength and colour are prioritised over nuance.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kumudu is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with plantations, blending facilities, and distribution networks spanning Africa, Asia, and beyond. Finlays sources tea from numerous origins for its own branded products and for supply to major retail and foodservice customers worldwide. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that Kumudu's output enters large-scale commercial channels, likely destined for blends or bulk contracts rather than single-estate retail offerings.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kumudu lies at 6.4291, 80.0870 in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Its 12 m elevation is the joint 19th highest of 22 estates we map in Western Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Galathara — 3.1 km away
- New J S P — 7.4 km away
- Evergreen Group, Lihiniyawa — 9.8 km away
- Talawakelle Plantations, Moragalla — 11 km away · Southern Province
- Uniworld Teas Pvt Ltd — 12 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kumudu
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kumudu (12 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kumudu recorded 3,745 mm in 2025, 71% more than the 2,195 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameenabad Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,447 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Amrail Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,201 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Sungma Tea Estate | Camac Street, India | 12 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
| M.K. Shah Exports Ltd. | Justice Dwarkanath Road, India | 12 m | 1,858 mm | 31.4 °C |
| Paragodakanda | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 12 m | 2,612 mm | 29.5 °C |
Kumudu Compared with Western Province
In Western Province, Kumudu is drier than 62% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 90% of the others by elevation; warmer than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kumudu 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 | Kumudu | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 12 m | 24 m | 9 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 Kumudu (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kumudu’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 Kumudu located?
Kumudu is in Western Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.4291, 80.0870, at an elevation of about 12 metres.
What type of tea does Kumudu produce?
Kumudu is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kumudu supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kumudu as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kumudu receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,745 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (455 mm).
How does Kumudu compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kumudu recorded 3,745 mm in 2025, 71% more rain than the 2,195 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].