American Samoa’s Consumer Price Index, for the 4th Quarter of 2025, shows that
for the first time since the 4th quarter of 2020, the territory recorded negative inflation: an annual rate of minus 0.1 percent and a quarterly decline of minus 0.6 percent.
The Food Group dropped 1.3% this quarter. Among the thirty food items that have seen a price drop, one item significantly contributed to this decline, eggs. Prices for eggs decreased by -238.4%, bringing the average cost to $2.43 this quarter, down $1.52 from the previous quarter. The cost of 26 other food items also decreased. These include onions (-10.2%), cake mix (-7.6%), tomatoes (-7.1%), chicken wings (-7.1%), pigs’ feet (-6.4%), and pork ribs (-4.3%).
Food items whose prices jumped include lamb neck (15.3%), boneless beef (12.2%), turkey tail (9.6%), cabbage (9.0%), cucumbers (8.7%), and ketchup (5.1%). Twenty-five items, however, have not changed in price, which include bread, water, a McDonald’s meal, and soda.
The largest drop for the quarter was in the Transportation Group which fell 5.0 percent with gas prices down by -0.1%, diesel by -0.2%, and airfares at -6.8%.
Alcoholic Group fell 3.7% led by the price of wine dropping 15.9%.
The Entertainment Group dropped 3.2% with only one item showing an increase in price, cat food which went up 2.0%.
The Education and Communication Group increased by 4.4%, making it the top expenditure group this quarter. This was driven by a 9.1% increase in postal fees. All other items in this category remained the same.
The Housing Group registered an increase of 2.4%. Items whose prices jumped include refrigerators (7.9%), bedroom furniture (4.5%), other living room furniture (4.2%), ASPA electricity (2.9%), and freezers (2.0%).
The Apparel Group rose 2.2% and the Medical Group increased 1.8% driven by the cost of non prescription drugs which rose 1.9% and Band-Aids up 1.0%. Other prices remained the same.
Annually, Medical Care recorded the highest increase at 1.4 percent, while Alcoholic Beverages saw the largest decline at minus 3.5 percent.
In Manu’a, the same basket of goods was 74 percent more expensive than in Tutuila, with eggs averaging $10.39 per dozen where available.
