A survey by the American Samoa Department of Commerce has confirmed long-standing complaints from Manu'a that food prices there are much higher than on Tutuila.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The survey, in December, looked at retail prices of commodities available at five shops on Ofu and Olosega, while the island of Ta'u, the largest of the three islands, will be surveyed this month.
The survey found that retail prices on Ofu and Olosega are up to 80 percent higher than Tutuila while other goods, such as meats are even dearer.
According to its findings a case of chicken is sold at an average price of $US25 on Ofu and Olosega compared to $US12.85 on Tutuila.
A dozen eggs are sold at an average of $US4.08 on the two islands against an average of $US1.63 on Tutuila.
American Samoa Photo: RNZI
The director of the Commerce Department, Keniseli Lafaele, said the survey was carried out following public complaints that the cost of food items on Manu'a were very high.
