Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The cost of a dozen eggs went up again in February, with a 0.35 cent increase and an average price of $4.70 per dozen as bird flu and politics in the US mainland continue to affect prices and availability.

American Samoa's Basic Food Index increased by 0.9%. Nine items contributed to the increase in the BFI beginning with eggs (8.0%) $4.70 per dozen, pork spare ribs (5.3%) $1.97 per lb, fish (3.0%) $5.11 lb, taro (2.2%) $2.29 lb, butter (1.9%) $4.82 ½ lb, rice (1.7%) $5.38 for 5 lbs, mayonnaise (1.2%) $4.92, soda (0.9%) $1.13, and 10 kg case of chicken (0.7%) $19.77.

Some favorite food items have decreased however, and include: corned beef (-0.2%) $5.45, milk (-0.4%) $2.53, turkey tail (-0.5%) $2.06 lb, banana (-1.4%) $1.42, and sausage (-1.4%) $2.15.

Bread, ice cream, saimin, sugar, tuna, and water are the six food items that have remained constant this month despite price increases and decreases in other areas.

The Basic Food Index is a monthly rapid assessment of basic food items, to monitor the cost and availability of these 20 food products throughout the community. The BFI is not to be confused with the Quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is a comprehensive standard measure of inflation and the cost of living ni American Samoa.

A major upgrade to the survey coverage was implemented at the beginning of 2022, when 7 additional stores were included in the data collection process, extending coverage from Se'etaga in the West to Amouli in the East. In total, 14 major to mid-size retail stores have been selected for the monitoring of basic food costs.