Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — While the price for eggs soared in December with bird flu prevalent in some states on the mainland, most food commodities experienced a decrease in prices for December 2024, helping with the budget for those big family gatherings during the holidays.

According to American Samoa's Basic Food Index (BFI) rice prices decreased (-5.6%) to $5.19 for 5 lbs , bananas down (-5.3%) $1.42 lb, ice cream (-3.5%) 2 ltrs $9.40, fresh fish (- 2.1%) $5.07 lb, bread (-1.7%) $3.52 for a long loaf, sausage (-1.4%) $2.17 a lb, sugar (-0.8%) $3.76 2 kg, turkey tail (-0.5%), $2.06 lb, chicken (-0.5%), $19.80 a case, tuna (-0.4%) $2.35 a can, and butter (-0.4%) $4.66 a half lb.

Even with most food items decreasing in price, five items have increased during the month of December. Notable increases include eggs at a whopping 13.9%  and taro at 7.4%. Egg prices continue to rise; the average price for December was $3.78, 46 cents more than November. Taro used to be $2.17 per pound in November and cost $2.33 per pound in December. Other food items that have increased are mayonnaise (3.4%) $4.87, corned beef (2.2%) $5.57, and spare ribs (1.6%) $1.89.

A few commodities have remained the same price for Nov. and Dec: soda $1.13, water 50¢, and milk $2.52.

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.

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.