Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — White Sunday ice cream will cost more this year while the Basic Food Index for American Samoa decreased by -0.1% in September.  

Seven food commodities contributed to the decrease, including bananas (-4.7%) $1.61 per lb, sausage (-3.5%) #2.23 lb, soda (-2.8%) $1.06 a can, turkey tail (-2.0%) $2.45 lb, chicken (-1.4%) $19.52 a case, milk (-1.1%) $2.59, and corned beef (-0.2%) $5,85 a can.

In contrast, the prices of ten food products have increased:

Pork spare ribs rising to 7.7%, costing 15 cents more than its price last month at $2.11 per lb, Fish has gone up by 6.6%, averaging $5.69 per pound, and Other food item increases are — tuna (1.3%) $2.42 a can, eggs (2.7%) $1.90 for a small dozen, ice cream (2.4%) $10.55, rice (2.0%) 5 lbs for $5.05, taro (2.2%) $2.35 a lb, butter (0.4%) $4.99, sugar (0.3%) 2kg at $3.44 and mayonnaise (0.2%) $4.96 a jar.

Remaining consistent through September, with no changes were water 50¢  a bottle, saimin 60¢ a package, and bread $3.60 a long loaf.

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 in 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.