Lower fuel prices also reducing prices on gasoline and diesel fuel

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The continued drop in the price of fuel globally has not only decreased the electric rate for the American Samoa Power Authority, but also the price for gasoline and diesel fuel at the local gas stations.

The American Samoa Consumer Price Index for 2nd Quarter of calendar year 2020 — covering the period of April to June — report released last week by the ASG Commerce Department shows that the Transportation Group recorded the largest quarterly decrease of 1.8% due to “lower cost of unleaded gasoline and diesel”.

The report also states that the Housing Group registered a 0.4% quarterly decrease caused by the drop in “fuel surcharges in cost of electricity and water” — (both services provided by ASPA which has publicly announced the drop in this surcharge in the past months due to the reduction in the price of fuel globally).

Under the Food Group, the report says it recorded an increase of 0.4% — which is attributed to the hike from each major food group” — Grains (such as rice, bread, flour); Meat and Poultry (such as beef, chicken, turkey, pork, fish); Dairy (eggs and ice cream); and Fruits and Vegetables (such as apples, oranges; potatoes and cabbage).

Also contributing to the increase in the Food Group, according to the report, “are the high costs of energy drinks, juice, cooking oil, pizza and restaurant meals”.

According to the report:
    • Alcoholic Beverage Group — recorded a 0.1% drop in the cost of beer;
    • Apparel group — increased by 0.1% as Men’s and Boy’s footwear went up;
    • Medical Care group — remain the same in this quarter;
    • Recreational Group — increased by 0.1% due to higher prices of nutrition centers;
    • Education and Communication Group — went up by 1.3% due to the high costs of cell phones and tablets;
    • Other Goods and Services Group — declined by 0.1% as the costs of cigarettes, deodorant, soap and laundry detergents dropped.

Samoa News asked several buyers of cigarettes about this decline and they all say the price of cigarettes — for the popular brands, such as Benson and Kools — has remained the same since last year, averaging around $10 a pack and a little higher at the village “bush stores” and stores in Manu’a. They believe that if there is a drop in price, it could be for the non-popular brand.

More specific details of the report can be obtained by email ([email protected]).