Food once again leads the increase in the Consumer Price Index

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa's inflation rate is 1.3%, lower than the previous quarter, but there was still an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Food Group is once again the leading expenditure group, with an increase of 3.0%.

One of the items that saw an increase of more than 10% is ice cream (10.4%). Of the foods that saw a decline, only spaghetti (-11.2%) saw a decrease of more than 10%. Overall, 44% of the food commodities increased in price, 34% decreased, and 18% have remained unchanged.

Other foods that have experienced price increases are oranges (8.4%), chicken wings (7.4%), crackers (6.2%), and cake mix (6.1%). Some items that have experienced a decline in costs, include energy drinks (-8.3%), lamb necks (-7.6%), potatoes (-6.8%), and whole chicken (-6.2%).

Coming in second is the Other Goods and Services Group with 1.1%. The Transportation Group also increased by 1.0% this quarter.

The Alcohol Group continues to decline, with a -1.3% quarterly change. Wine dropped by 1.8%, distilled spirits by 2.0%, and beer by 0.5%. The Housing Group also observed a decline of -0.1% during this quarter. The household products that are most responsible for this drop include the gas stove (2.1%), construction materials (3.3%), and electricity (7.1%). Apart from the Housing Group's general decrease, this quarter saw increases in the prices of other items such as water heaters (1.6%), chain saws (7.5%), and other living room furniture (2.0%).

The Apparel Group experienced a quarterly percentage change of 0.1%, indicating a rise from the previous quarter's decline. Diapers (1.0%) and baby wipes (5.5%) have increased. However, there was a 5.8% drop in men's and boys' footwear this quarter.

With a 1.5% percentage change and an increase, Medical Care emerged as the top expenditure group this quarter.

There was only one change in the Medical Care items, a 3.1% fall in nonprescription drugs, while seven other items were stable.

The Entertainment Group also saw a 0.4% increase. The video gaming system experienced a 7.6% increase this quarter, while bingo paper saw a decline of 1.7%.

The Education & Communication Group observed a 0.9% quarterly decrease. However, both the cost of the printer/fax/copier (6.5%) and the postal service charge (2.1%) increased.

The Other Goods and Services Group also experienced a 1.3% decline. Laundry (1.7%) and soap (0.2%) were two items that increased.

This quarter, there was a 6.9% drop in the Transportation Group. The majority of the items in this group remain consistent. Nevertheless, two items experienced a price increase: gasoline by 1.1% and vehicle tune-up by 1.5%.

The price of diesel accounted for 4.5% of the drop, making it the most responsible component. Average gas and diesel prices are as follows:

                   Gas:       Diesel:

Q1/2023: $4.38        $4.70

Q2/2023: $4.50        $4.84

03/2023: $4.38         $4.40

Q4/2023: $4.48        $4.72

Q1/2024: $4.53        $4.50

COMPARATIVE COST IN MANU'A

A quarterly comparison of the cost of selected goods/services purchased on Tutuila compared to the same products/ services purchased by residents in Manu'a finds the average price difference between the islands is 55.25%.

This is primarily because some commodities are limited or unavailable in Manua stores and due to the shipping or transportation costs from Tutuila to the Manu'a islands. The two items that contributed most to this are the cylinder tank and eggs.

Other groups, such as the Entertainment Group (0.8%), Apparel Group (0.7%), and Education &Communication Group (0.3%), have all increased. A few groups experienced a decline, and they are the Alcohol Group (-4.6%), Medical Care Group (-0.3%), and Housing Group (-0.2%).

Eleven stores in Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega islands were selected, and twenty-eight commodities, including Food (21 items), Housing (2 items), Alcohol (2 items), Miscellaneous (2 items), and Transportation (1 item), were priced.