September Basic Food Index shows price hikes slowing down

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As inflation is cooling a bit in the States, prices in American Samoa’s Basic Food Index (BFI) for September rose only slightly when compared to recent months with the monthly increase at 0.8%, from August 2024 to September 2024.

The BFI is a monthly rapid assessment of basic food items, to monitor the cost and availability of 20 food products throughout the community.

Despite the increase and decrease in prices, a few products have shown consistency this month and remained the same: water, ramen, sugar, and eggs. Overall, 45% of the food commodities increased, 35% decreased, and 20% remained unchanged for September.

Food commodities that have seen an increase in price this month include bananas $1,61 (4.2%), chicken legs 10 KG case $19.39 (2.8%), taro $2.25 (2.5%), turkey tail $2.05 (1.9%), bread $3.63 (1.2%), butter $4.41 (0.6%), ribs $1.87 and ice cream $9.59 (0.2%).

While most of the products have increased, about seven items experienced a decrease, including fish $5.16 (- 2.4%), mayonnaise $4.68 (-1.5%), tuna $2.38 (-0.7%), corned beef $5.42 (-0.3%), 5 lb. rice $5.76 (-0.1%), and milk $2.49 (-0.1%).

For more information, please contact the Department of Commerce Statistics & Analysis Division at 684-633-0120 or email [email protected].

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.

A major upgrade to the BFI 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.