Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa's Basic Food Index (BFI) saw a small decrease of -0.2% in February, where six items out of the 20 food items monitored in the BFI, saw a drop in prices.

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

A total of 14 major to mid-sized retail stores have been selected for monitoring on Tutuila island — from the far-west side to the far-east side.

Food items decreasing in price include fresh milk (-0.8%) $2.55, fish (-1.0%) $5.09 lb, eggs (-1.2%) $2.49, ice cream (-2.1%) 2 ltr $9.50, taro (-3.1%) $2.17 lb, and sugar (-3.9%) 2 kg $3.49.

Even with the overall decrease, five items experienced price increases last month. These includes chicken (0.1 %) 10kg case for $19.29, mayonnaise (0.2%) $4.97, pork spare ribs (0.5%) $1.90 lb, turkey tail (0.8%) $2.55 lb, and rice (1.9%) 5 lbs $5.24.

Nine food commodities, including soda, water, sausage, bananas, saimin, tuna, bread, corned beef, and butter, remained at the same price in February.

A major upgrade to the 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

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

For more information, please contact DOC’s Statistics & Analysis Division at 633-0120 or email americansamoastatistics@doc.as.gov