Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Food costs for the month of March decreased 0.8%, according to the recently released Basic Food Index (BFI) for American Samoa. Rice, which had the largest decrease in the group, dropped twenty-four cents down to 5lbs for $5.

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 eight food items that have dropped in price are: corned beef (-0.3%) $5.80, mayonnaise (-0.4%) $4.95, chicken (-0.9%) $19.11 for a 10 kg case, turkey tail (-1.2%) $2.52, milk (-1.2%) $2.52, saimin (-1.6%) 60¢ a package, eggs (-2.8%) $2.42 a dozen, and rice (-4.6%) 5 lbs. for $5.

However, even with the overall decrease in the BFI, seven food commodities have seen a rise in costs. These items include butter (0.2%) $5.05, taro (0.5%) $2.18, fish (0.8%) $5.13, soda (0.9%) $1.10, ice cream (2.3%) $9.72, sugar (2.6%) $3.58, and sausage (2.7%) $2.29.

All in all, even with the changes in prices, some food items remained at the same price as last month. For instance, water 50¢, banana $1.62 per lb, tuna $2.35 a can, and bread $3.60 which have held steady for several months; and pork spareribs $1.90 per lb.

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.