Am Samoa inflation rate creeps higher but still well below the U.S.

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The local Department of Commerce is showing that the inflation rate for American Samoa stands at 0.9% for January, an increase of 0.8% from the previous month, but still well below the U.S. rate of 2.9% for the same period.

The Education & Communication Group and Apparel Group are the top expenditure groups annually, at 2.8%. Quarterly, the Transportation Group is the highest expenditure group, at 3.6% for the fourth quarter of 2024.

ANNUAL GROUP MOVEMENTS

As found, the Education & Communication Group and Apparel Group are the largest expenditure groups, with an increase of 2.8% annually. This is followed by the Food Group, with an increase of 17.%. Next up is Other Goods and Services, at 10.%. Transportation and Medical Group also increased, each at 0.4%. Despite most of the groups having increased, two groups have experienced declines: Entertainment Group at -3.% and Housing Group at -0.2%.

QUARTERLY GROUP MOVEMENTS

The Food Group experienced an increase this quarter of 1.2%. A total of 24 food items increased in price. Three food items contributed directly to the rise, with more than a 10% increase, including potatoes (18.1%), bacon (10.5%), and spaghetti (10.5%). Other foods that have increased are chicken legs (9.9%), mussels (8.2%), oranges (7.2%), and juice (7.7%). Even with most of the food items rising in price, some food prices have decreased this quarter. Some of these food items include cereal (-9.8%), chicken wings (-9.1%), pork ribs (-8.7%), onions -( 4.3%), and noodles (-4.11%). With the rise and fall in prices, 21 food products remain the same this quarter, consisting of food items such as bananas, energy drinks, mayonnaise, McDonald's meals, ice, water, and pizza.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE GROUP

This group reported an increase of 0.5%. Among the three items monitored, only beer prices rose to 1.0%. The average cost for beer last quarter was $2.29, which has now increased to $2.31 this quarter. Prices for wine and distilled spirits remained unchanged.

HOUSING GROUP

Housing saw an increase of 0.1%. Prices for several housing items have risen, including refrigerators (3.1%), other living room furniture (3.2%), water heaters (4.4%), and other small appliances (6.9%). However, some items have experienced price decreases, such as bedroom furniture (-1.9%), rice cookers (-5.0%), and air conditioners (-5.1%).

APPAREL GROUP

With a quarterly percentage change of 2.2%, the Apparel Group has also increased. Two notable increases are women's accessories at 10.7% and girls' accessories at 15.1%, increasing by more than 10%. Other items that have also increased are women's & girls' footwear (7.6%), men's &boys' footwear (5.1%), and girls' dress (5.0%). Only three apparel items have decreased this quarter: infant dresses (-2.9%), other infants' clothing (-1.9%), and women's slacks (-1.3%).

MEDICAL GROUP

The Medical Group went through a decrease of -1.2%. All medical products remained unchanged; however, non- prescription drug prices dropped by -3.9% within this group.

ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

The Entertainment Group fell by -5.7%. Several products drove the decline: standing toy dogs by -8.1%, sewing materials by -2.3%, flat-screen TVs by -2.2%, and MP3 players by -0.01%. Despite this group's overall decline, book prices increased by 10.0%, and lace materials saw a slight rise of 0.15%.

EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION GROUP

The Education & Communication Group experienced a positive change of 34.% quarterly. Most Education & Communication products have not changed in price. Simultaneously, three items increased this quarter: tablet computers (14.9%), postal service charges (10.0%), and backpacks (1.5%).

TRANSPORTATION GROUP

The Transportation Group is the top expenditure group this quarter, with a 3.4% increase. Though there is an increase, most products monitored for the Transportation Group are at the same price as last quarter. Only two products have shown price changes: gas (-3.0%) and diesel (-3.6%). Average gas and diesel prices are as follows:

Q4/2023         $4.48 (Gas)   $4.72 (Diesel)

Q1/2024         $4.53 (Gas)   $4.50 (Diesel)

Q2/2024         $4.74 (Gas)   $4.52 (Diesel)

Q3/2024         $4.45 (Gas)   $4.66 (Diesel)

Q4/2024         $4.28 (Gas)   $4.49) (Diesel)

COMPARATIVE COST OF SELECTED GOODS DNA SERVICES IN MANU' A

The objective is to identify cost differentials and the magnitude of differences between the two islands.

To make direct comparisons, a sample of average commodity prices normally purchased in the regular CPI was used as the survey template with the same commodity descriptions, weights, detailed specifications, brand names, etc. Eleven stores in Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega islands were selected, and 28 commodities, including Food (21 items), Housing 2( items), Alcohol (2 items), Miscellaneous (2 items), and Transportation 1( item), were priced.

As reported, the cost differential between Tutuila and Manu’a is 60.83%. Some products were monitored for the CPI but were unavailable in-store due to limited shipping and transportation costs and because some store owners were off-island or in Tutuila for vacation or personal reasons during data collection.