Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa’s Basic Food Index (BFI) for August rose by 1.2% with nine foods driving the increase. Good news, however, is that some local favorites, including mayo and corned beef took a downward slide.

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

The food item contributing the most to the price surge is sugar (6.7%), which has been see-sawing back-in-forth for the past several months, now at $3.81.

Other food items that rose include: 10 kg box of chicken legs (3.9%) $18.86, ramen (2.7%) 55¢, taro (2.1%) $2.19 lb, soda (2.0%) $1.11 a can, tuna (1.8%) $2.40 a can, bread (1.6%) $3.58, ice cream (0.8%) 2-ltr for $9.57, and butter (0.3%) $4.38 a half lb.

The seven food items that experienced a decrease in prices are mayonnaise (-2.8%) $4.75, sausage (-2.6%) $2.16 lb, fish (-2.1%) $5.28 lb, eggs (-1.5%) $2.89, corned beef (-1.1%) $5.44, ribs (-1.0%) $1.86, and turkey tail (-0.2%) $2.01.

Additionally, the prices of water, rice, milk, and bananas have remained constant throughout August.

For more information, please contact the Department of Commerce Statistics& Analysis Division at 684-633-0120 or email americansamoastatistics@doc.as.

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.