Samoa's Price Control Board has been urged to investigate why costs are added to the price of imported basic goods such as chicken and flour.

Chicken has become the staple diet for households in Samoa because it is considered the cheapest meat on island and the supply of flour was recently short but the price has spiked when it was recently replenished. 

In terms of the cost of goods, Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa noted the continuous increase in freight that contributed to the rising cost of goods and is being looked into. 

She acknowledged the dropped in fuel prices over the past two months with Samoa offering the lowest price of petroleum and diesel compared to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji for this month. 

The instability in the cost of fuel is attributed to the Ukraine and Russia conflict as well as the effects of the post COVID-19 pandemic. 

But Fiame said the cost of basic goods such as chicken and flour continue to go up and should be investigated by the Price Control Board. 

“I believe this is one area that requires proper investigation to identify so we can look at the price adjustments especially the impact on consumers food,” she said in a recent press conference. 

“Goods like flour and sugar, there are discussions on the high cost of box of chicken, but there needs to be an investigation on where exactly the added cost that causes the increase. 

“This will assist the Government in its plans through the Price Control.”

The wholesale price for a 15 kilo of chicken box is around $92.50 tala and the large sack of flour (50 kilo) is $136.20 tala. 

 Prime Minister Fiame added that prior to the border closure, the public was reminded about food security and remains to be an important message for everyone during these times. 

She said there are areas that the Government has jurisdiction in and should be given priority in. 

It was not possible to get an official comment from the Minister overseeing Price Control Board, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo.