Local root crops, breadfruit and banana were in abundance in January while green vegetables were in short supply. The overwhelming supply of root crops did very little to decrease prices, while vegetable prices doubled.

According to the Local Market Survey by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, the supply of taro to the local markets in January 2025 increased by 94 per cent to 7,741 kilograms, remaining unchanged in price compared to December 2024. In January 2024, the current supply of taro decreased by 21 per cent while its average price rose by 14 per cent.

The annual supply of taro increased by 21 per cent, while its price decreased by two per cent compared to the year ending January 2024.

The supply of bananas to local markets in January 2025 more than doubled compared to December 2024, while the average price fell by three per cent to $2.11 per kilogram. Compared to January last year, the current banana supply increased by 11 per cent, whereas the average price rose by 31 per cent.

The annual banana supply decreased by seven per cent, while the average price increased by seven per cent compared to the year ending January 2024.

In January 2025, the average supply of ta'amu to local markets was 509 kilograms, representing a 50 per cent increase from the previous month, while the average price rose by three per cent to $6.13 per kilogram. Compared to the same month last year, the supply of ta'amu was 11 times higher, while the average price dropped by 42 per cent.

The annual supply of ta’amu increased in the year ending January 2025 compared to the year ending January 2024, while its average price fell by 53 per cent.

Coconut supply totalled 6,310 kilograms in January 2025, rising by 36 per cent from December 2024. Meanwhile, the average price fell by three per cent to $1.00 per kilogram. When compared to January 2024, the current coconut supply increased by 13 per cent, while the average price went down by two per cent

Over the twelve months ending January 2025, coconut supply rose 29 per cent, while the average price fell by one per cent compared to the same period ending January 2024.

Breadfruit supply increased more than fivefold in January 2025 compared to the previous month, while its average price declined by 38 per cent to $1.37 per kilogram. In comparison to January 2024, the current supply of breadfruit has more than doubled, and its average price fell by 40 per cent.

The annual breadfruit supply increased by 39 per cent, while its average price decreased by 16 per cent compared to the year ending January 2024.

In January 2025, yam supply totalled 72 kilograms, remaining unchanged compared to the previous month, while the average price dropped by 11 per cent to $7.35 per kilogram. Compared to the same month last year, the current supply and average price both decreased by 42 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively.

In the twelve months ending January 2025, yam supply decreased by 18 per cent compared to the twelve months ending January 2024, while the average price increased by five per cent.

In January 2025, the overall supply of all vegetables to local markets decreased. Head cabbage supplies decreased by 52 per cent, followed by Chinese cabbage supplies, which declined by 41 per cent. Cucumber, tomato, and pumpkin also fell by 31 per cent, 22 per cent, and 12 per cent in the reviewed month.

Following the decline in the supply of all vegetables available at the local markets in the month under review, average prices for all vegetable produce increased. Chinese cabbage prices increased by 55 er cent to $17.18 per kilogram, head cabbage increased by 42 per cent to $17.12 per kilogram, and cucumber prices increased by 38 per cent to $9.52 per kilogram. Tomato went up by 28 per cent to $29.15 per kilogram, and pumpkin increased by 12 per cent to $6.43 per kilogram compared to January 2024.

The average number of sellers in January 2025 was 275, increasing by 18 per cent from December 2024 and a 10 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.