So far this summer, the sun has been like one of the many popular performers on tour in Finland, with its rare appearances hailed by throngs of adoring fans. Retailers of beer and carbonated drinks say that cloudy skies and cool weather mean empty terraces - with sales of refreshing drinks put on ice.
Sinebrychoff is Finland's largest brewer and produces nearly half of the country's beer, cider and soft drink products. Commercial Director Janne Mattinen says sales of cider and mineral water are down 15 percent from last year, while sales of beer and carbonated drinks have declined by 10 percent.
Summer sales are particularly important for beer and soft drink retailers, with the period between May and August accounting for 40 percent of the entire year's turnover. Mattinen says sales this summer have been so weak that not even a late-summer heatwave would help retailers recover lost ground.
Summer's lack-lustre sales may also reflect increased prices for these drinks - alcohol consumption in Finland was already down in the early part of the year.
Sinebrychoff fears that price increases expected in the autumn will cause consumers to cut back even further on these beverages - or resort to cheaper alternatives from abroad.