Prices on some favorite Samoan foods continue to increase
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The hike in prices for eight food commodities contributed to the slight increase of 0.3% in the Basic Food Index (BFI) for the month of September from the previous month of August, according the BFI report released this week by Commerce Department’s Statistics & Analysis Division.
According to the BFI report, fresh fish led the way with the highest increase (6.9%), followed by banana (5.0%), turkey tail (4.4%), tuna (4.2%), sausage (2.5%), butter (2.4%), rice (2.3%) and ice cream (0.6%).
DOC data in the report shows that fresh fish was $4.82 per pound in September an increase from August where it was $4.51 a pound; banana shows $1.58 per pound last month but was $1.50 per pound in August.
For turkey tails — a Samoan favorite food, especially for barbecue and also known to be sent in cases frequently by locals to their families in Samoa — it shows the cost of $1.99 a pound in September while it was $1.91 in August.
According to DOC, some food commodities that have decreased this past month are eggs (-5.4%), mayonnaise (-5.0%), sugar (-2.8%), ribs (-1.7%), taro (-1.4%), milk (-1.3%), chicken legs (-1.2%) and corned beef (-0.9%).
Other common commodities such as water (bottles), soda, bread, and ramen remained the same.
Samoa News notes that imported taro — for two consecutive months in July and August — led food items, which contributed to the increases in the BFI in both these two months.
For September however, DOC data shows that while it was $2.35 per pound in August, taro decreased to $2.32 per pound last month.
Some consumers contacted by Samoa News maintained their stand that prices in stores are high, especially in stores in villages that are usually operated by Asians. They argued that families, for convenience purposes, shop at the village stores near their homes — no matter the cost of the food items.
Samoa News suggested to these consumers to contact DOC directly to raise specific issues of concerns, so they are heard, and also share the issues with the public — through the local media, or even on social media platforms.
A total of 14 major to mid-sized retail stores have been selected for monitoring basic food costs on Tutuila island — from the far-west side to the far-east side.
DOC notes that 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.
For more information, please contact DOC’s Statistics & Analysis Division at 633-0120 or email americansamoastatistics@doc.as.gov