Rising Grocery Prices in American Samoa

Rising Grocery Prices in American Samoa

Introduction In August 2023, the Basic Food Index (BFI) for American Samoa experienced a 1.1% increase, following a 1.9% rise in July 2023¹. This blog post aims to shed light on the factors contributing to this upward trend and highlight the impact on various food commodities.

Imported Taro Leads the Hike Among the contributing factors to the BFI increase, imported taro from Samoa played a significant role, with a price surge of 9.0% in August¹. This was followed by milk, soda, chicken legs, and other items. The spike in taro prices indicates its importance in the local food market and its influence on overall food costs.

Decrease in Some Food Items While several food commodities experienced an increase in price, there were notable exceptions. Eggs, bread, bananas, turkey tails, fish, ice cream, and mayonnaise were among the food items that decreased in price during August¹. This demonstrates that not all products were affected by the rising grocery prices.

BFI vs CPI It’s important to note that the Basic Food Index (BFI) is distinct from the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation and the cost of living in American Samoa². While the CPI provides a comprehensive overview of price changes across various goods and services, the BFI focuses specifically on basic food costs on Tutuila island.

Conclusion The increase in grocery prices in American Samoa has been driven by various factors, including imported taro and other essential food items. While some products experienced a decrease in price, it’s crucial to monitor these trends to understand their long-term implications for consumers.

“And remember, if all else fails, you can always eat your worries away with a tub of ice cream. Just make sure it’s on sale!”

¹: Source ²: Source