Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite the inflation rate for American Samoa (1. 7%), being one point higher than it was last quarter, eggs have returned to their regular prices following a shortage that had previously caused prices to spike to $6 and up.

Compared to the same quarter last year, when the rate was only 0.1 %, this quarter's rate is 1.6 percentage points higher. While the annual percentage change shows a positive trend, the quarterly percentage change has decreased by 0. 7%. The Transportation Group is the highest expenditure category for this quarter, both quarterly and annually.

ANNUAL GROUP MOVEMENTS

The Transportation Group continues to be the top expenditure group annually, with an 8.2% increase. The Food Group follows behind with a 3.0% increase. The Other Goods and Services Group also increased by 0.8%. This is also the case with the Alcoholic Beverages Group, which increased by 0.6%. Five groups have experienced declines. The Entertainment Group had the largest decrease of -4.3%, followed by the Housing Group and Medical Group, with both -1.6% decrease. The Apparel Group and Education & Communication Group also declined, Apparel by -1.0%, and Education & Communication by -0.6%.

QUARTERLY GROUP MOVEMENTS

While the annual percentage for the Food Group is a 3.0% increase, the quarterly percentage change is at a negative -1.6%. Eighty-five food commodities were monitored for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Of the 85, twenty-seven items dropped in price. One notable item in this group that dropped significantly is eggs which dropped by -42.5%. This reflects a return to regular egg prices following a shortage that had previously caused prices to spike to $6.

Currently, the average cost of a dozen small eggs is $3.95 and is gradually decreasing. Other food items that have also seen price decreases include rice (-2.1 %) 40 lb. $29.98, spaghetti (-2.5%) $4.44, steak $4.68 (-3.3%), soda (-3 .5%) $2.50, ice cream (-4.0%), and flour (-4. 7%). Despite the negative quarterly percentage change, thirty-three food items have increased in price. These include bananas (15.7%) $4.42, turkey tail $4.12 (7.9%), turkey wings (5.5%), meat pies (4.5%), corned beef (3.9%) $5.31, cake (3.7%), cake mix (3.6%), lamb neck (3.2%), and ice (3.0%). Additionally, twenty-five food items have remained stable in price, including cereal, pizza, crackers, beef ribs, taro, and water.

This quarter, the Alcoholic Group increased by 0.2%. Among the three items observed, only beer experienced a change of 0.4%. The Housing Group, however, went through a decrease of -2.1 %. Several housing items that have seen a decline in price include other small appliances (-8.1 %), construction materials (-3.3%), electricity (-2.8%), refrigerator (-1.9%), gas stove (-1.7%), and non-electric hand tools (-1.3%). On the other hand, some housing items that experienced price increases are toaster (11.6%), fan (4.6%), freezer (2.1 %), chainsaw (1.3%), and air conditioner (1.2%).

Apparel Group decreased to -3.1 %, continuing its negative trend for the third time this quarter. Prices for Apparel items like women's undergarments (-1.6%), women's & girls' footwear (-3.3%), girls' dress (-3.6%), watches (-4.1 %), and girls' accessories (-12.8%) have all gone down. The only apparel item that saw an increase is diapers, which rose by 10.9%. For the Medical Group, their quarterly percentage change is -1.3%. The prices for all medical items have remained stable, except for non-prescription drugs, which saw a slight increase of 0. 7%.

The Entertainment Group is the second largest expenditure Group this quarter with a 3 .2% increase. The only item to see a price increase is bingo paper, by 0.1 %. In contrast, the prices of lace material (-15 .3% ), standing toy dog (-14. 7% ), sewing machine (-11.6% ), and books (9 .1 % ) have all decreased.

The Education & Communication Group decreased by -4.1 %. Within this group, only three items had price changes. The calculator decreased by -0.3%, while school fundraising & other educational expenses increased by 1.2%, and postal service charges increased by 3.3%. The Other Goods and Services Group also saw a decrease of -1.3%. Although the overall quarterly percentage change was negative, two items increased: cosmetics by 4.5% and soap by 8.6%.

The Transportation Group is once again the largest expenditure group this quarter, with an increase of 5.9%.

Transportation items that have increased by more than ten percent are automotive brake repair (29.9%), auto tune- up (11.9%), and a ferry ride to Apia (11.4%). In addition, there have been increases in the cost of automotive purchase by 6.3%, diesel by 4.8%, and gas by 4.0%. Average gas and diesel prices are as follows:

Q3/2024: $4.45 (gas)   $.466 (diesel)

Q4/2024: $4.28 (gas)   $4.49 (diesel)

Ql/2025: $4.19 (gas)     $4.48 (diesel)

Q2/2025: $4.01 (gas)   $4.19 (diesel)

Q3/2025: $4.12 (gas)   $4.39 (diesel)

COMPARATIVE COST OF SELECTED GOODS AND SERVICES IN MANU' A

A sample of average commodity prices normally purchased in the regular CPI was used as the survey template with the same commodity descriptions, weights, detailed specifications, brand names, etc., to make direct comparisons.

Eleven stores in Ta'u, Ofu and Olosega islands were selected and 28 commodities including Food (21 items), Housing (2 items), Alcohol (2 items), Miscellaneous (2 items) and Transportation (1 item) were priced.

The reported cost difference between Tutuila and Manua is 97.61 %. Some products were either unavailable or limited in Manua stores due to shipping and transportation costs. Additionally, other stores were temporarily closed due to owners traveling to Tutuila and the U.S. for personal reasons.