Food prices inched up in June but a tuna sandwich was still a thrifty lunch

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After a slight downward trend for several months, American Samoa's Basic Food Index has increased by 0.3%. Food items that have greatly affected this change in the BFI are fish (7.9%) $5.19, turkey tail (2.5%) $2.46, milk (2.0%) $2.60, sausage (1.8%) $2.31, saimin (1.7%) 60¢, banana (1.3%) $1.58, ice cream (0.8%) $9.59, corned beef (0.7%) $5.85, pork spare ribs (0.5%) $1.92, and rice (0.4%) $5. Last month, the average cost of fish was $4.81, and it has increased to $5.19 this month. However, even with most food commodities experiencing price increases, a few have seen reductions this month. Egg prices have continued to decline and are now averaging (-5.6%), $1.85 for a small dozen, sugar (-4.1%) $3.50, taro (-1.4%) $2.13, chicken (-0.7%) $19.74, mayonnaise (-0.6%) $4.95, and butter (-0.4%) $5. Soda $1.12, water 50¢, bread $3.60, and tuna prices $2.36, have remained constant this month. 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. 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 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. Section: Local News Tags: BASIC FOOD INDEX
2026-07-08 16:51:10