Green Grape Shortage: India Embraces 100-Year-Old Spanish Custom

This past New Year's Eve, a Spanish tradition known as 'las doce uvas de la suerte'—eating twelve lucky grapes—triggered a massive demand for green grapes across India. The custom, which involves consuming one grape for each month at midnight to usher in luck and positivity, has rapidly gained traction. Shoppers eagerly sought the fruit, hoping to embrace the tradition for the year ahead.

The intense consumer interest led to widespread shortages of green grapes in markets nationwide. Many individuals were unable to purchase any, with some shopkeepers reporting that less than ten percent of the demand could be met. This scarcity became a significant talking point on social media, with numerous users sharing their struggles to find the specific green variety required for the ritual.

The 'twelve lucky grapes' tradition boasts a history of over a century in Spain, originating around 1909 with farmers selling large harvests during New Year's celebrations. While the ritual is now a celebrated custom in India, its roots lie in Spain's long-standing practice of starting the year with positive intentions and symbols of good fortune.