Small break in food prices recorded just in time for graduation parties
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The slight decrease in prices for chicken legs and ice cream were welcome in the month of May with graduation parties in full swing.
The American Samoa Department of Commerce Basic Food Index (BFI) for May decreased by 0.7% with seven food commodities contributing to the decline: rice (-4.0%), chicken legs (-2.4%), bananas (-2.1%), sausage (-2.1%), ice cream (-1.2%), canned tuna (-0.9%), and sugar (-0.1%).
Leading the way down was rice at $6.11 down from $6.50 in March and $6.37 in April, followed by chicken legs at $18.37 a case, bananas $1.64 lb., sausage $2.22 lb., ice cream 2 ltrs. $9.45, canned tuna $2.33 a can, and 2 kg sugar $3.82.
Some food commodities that have increased in the past month include fish $5.29 (4.0%), milk $2.54 (3.2%), soda $1.11 (1.3%), turkey tail $2.02 (1.3%), eggs $3.22 (1.1%), ribs $1.94 (1.1%), butter $4.71 (0.9%), taro $2.21 (0.9%), and corned beef $5.60 (0.3%).
However, common commodities such as bread, mayonnaise, ramen, and bottled water prices remain unchanged.
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.
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