Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  A Commerce Department “Special Inquiry on the cost of general goods and services in Manu’a” has found that no turkey tails were sold in Manu’a, where the prices of, “Sin items, i.e. alcohol and cigarettes cost were about 50% higher in Manu’a” compared to Tutuila.

“Commodities and services sold in Manu’a are 53% higher than the same products in Tutuila,” according to the special report, which confirms what Manu’a lawmakers and residents have said in the past years, that it costs much more in Manu’a than on Tutuila.

The special report on Manu’a is included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the third quarter — July to September — of 2021, and was released late last week by the DOC’s Statistical Division, which explained that the special inquiry is to compare prices of goods and services normally purchased by consumers on both Tutuila and Manu’a.

It also says that the inquiry was not meant to find reasons and contributing factors for the cost differentials but was to find out the difference in costs between Manu’a and Tutuila and how significant these variations are.

DOC explained that a sample of average commodity prices normally purchased in the regular CPI was used as the sample template with exactly the same descriptions, weights, detailed specifications, brand name, etc., to make sure that the same items priced in Tutuila are priced in Manu’a — where eleven stores were selected for the special inquiry.

The special report said 34 commodities were included — Food group (26 items), Housing (3 items), Alcohol (2 items) Miscellaneous (2 items) and Transport (one item).

The special report says that total cost differential of goods and services in Manu’a is about 53%. Additionally, distribution and availability of these selected commodities in Manu’a, “varied”.

Of all selected commodities — two items were not considered for commercial sales in Manu’a; over 40% of commodities were available on less than half of all stores and no commodity was available in all 11 stores selected for the survey.

“Turkey tail was not found in Manu’a,” the report says, about this popular food item — which many complain is unhealthy and has been increasing in cost on Tutuila in the past months — based on monthly CPI reports from DOC.

The special report explained that cost differential by commodity or service varied. For example, three items were selling at or over 100% differentials — and they are, All Purpose Flour, Bottled Water and  eggs.

The majority of items — 53% — were selling at above 50% but less than 100% differentials, the report said and noted that the “Sin Items” — alcohol and cigarettes were about 50% higher in Manu’a.

The report also provided a chart of the specific items by name and comparison of prices between Tutuila and Manu’a for the third quarter of calendar year 2021.

The price comparison, shows — for example, —10 lbs All Purpose Flour, cost average is $4.08 on Tutuila but average cost is $9.23 in Manu’a — based on price survey of four stores.

Another price comparison of interest in the data, is unleaded gasoline. It’s $3.87 per gallon on Tutuila while $7 per gallon in Manu’a — based on the survey of one-outlet there.

Due to the “high cost” of goods sold at stores in Manu’a, two residents said over the weekend that “we, along with others purchase food items on Tutuila, especially the main food stuff,” and ship them to Manu’a or have a relative or friend traveling from Tutuila bring them over.

3RD QUARTER CPI

For the overall third-quarter CPI, DOC explained:

•           Education and Communication Group recorded the largest quarterly increase of 3.6% in college, primary and secondary school tuition and registration along with the cost of postal services.

•           Food Group increased by 2.3% over the quarter but over 8% since a year ago. The CPI report identified by name each food item that had price increases in the 3rd quarter.

•           House Group recorded a 2.2% quarterly increase due to high cost of construction materials and tools, water, electricity, kitchen and household appliances — such as air conditioners, refrigerators, electric stoves and rice cookers

•           Alcoholic Beverage Group registered a 1.8% increase in wine, beer and distilled spirits.

Other groups — Apparel, Transportation, Medical Care, Recreation, as well as Other Goods and Services - all recorded increases of less than 1%.

(Details of the 3rd Quarter CPI is available at the DOC Statistical Division at the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei.)