The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) is urging customers to report or advise the ministry if the prices of any purchased goods have exceeded the maximum prices stipulated by the Price Order. 

Wholesalers and retailers dealing in general merchandise within the country were once again reminded that the Price Control Order, issued in September, is still in effect until further notice.

The reminder was highlighted in a notice released by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) on Tuesday. 

Signed by the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, the notice also noted that the Price Control Order that was issued in September last year was distributed to all wholesalers and retailers in Samoa. 

"Wholesalers and retailers of Basic Food Items are advised to comply with all the requirements of this Order," the notice stated. 

"The Order was effective from 22 September 2023 until further notice. The Order is enforced under section 94 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2016, including fines and penalties for non-compliance. 

"Customers are advised to report to the ministry, prices of any purchased goods that have exceeded the maximum prices stipulated under the Price Order. 

"Our inspectors will continue to visit businesses to monitor their compliance with stipulated prices."

During the festive season, members of the public raised concerns regarding the surge in prices for certain essential food items.

Certain individuals expressed their concerns to this publication and reported a recent rise in the price of chicken legs, specifically from a store in Vaitele. 

The increase is attributed to an island-wide shortage. The newly inflated price reached $10 per kilogram when according to the price control order it should not be selling for more than $8 per kg. 

Verification by this newspaper confirmed the information obtained from the store, which had disclosed on Wednesday that they had depleted their chicken stock.

Last year in September, the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) issued a new price control order which indicated an increase in the prices for some of the goods. 

The order was signed by His Highness Head of State, Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II on 12 September 2023 on the advice of the Cabinet under section 94 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2016. 

As per the ministry's statement, the prices for the specified goods outlined in the directive became effective starting Friday, September 22, 2023. Wholesalers and retailers were duly notified of these adjustments.

The directive encompassed both wholesale and retail pricing for various food items, including sugar, salt, rice, flour, milk products, tinned fish, corned beef, and frozen goods, applicable to shops in both Upolu and Savai'i.

It was emphasized that the final wholesale and retail prices for both islands took into account the markup and V.A.G.S.T. (Value Added Goods and Services Tax).

Concerning dry goods, the wholesale markup in Upolu stands at 12.5 per cent, with a corresponding retail markup of 20 per cent. In the case of freezer goods, the markup for wholesale transactions is 15 per cent, while retailers in Upolu face a markup of 22.5 per cent for freezer goods.

On the big island of Savai'i, the wholesale markup for dry goods is 18.5 per cent, accompanied by a retail markup of 22.5 per cent. For freezer goods in Savai'i, the wholesale markup is 21 per cent, and retailers can have a markup of 25 per cent.

The price control order shows that a box of chicken legs (15 kg) has now increased to SAT$99.30 for wholesale in Upolu and $104.50 for wholesale in Savai'i. 

The retail price for chicken legs is now SAT$8 per kg for shops in Upolu and SAT$8.60 per kg for stores in Savai'i. 

This newspaper reached out to a couple of wholesale companies in the country including Frankies, Amau Ah Liki and they all confirmed that a box of chicken (15kg) was between $73 and $77. 

The prices of other goods such as sugar, flour and rice remain the same according to the wholesalers in the country compared to the prices on the order. 

The prices of milk products have also increased with one Devondale milk now being sold for $5.40 in Upolu and $5.80 in Savai'i. For Anchor regular, it is being sold for $4.80 in Upolu and $5.10 in Savai'i.