A local market survey for February 2021 showed an overall drop in supply of 3 per cent while prices increased by 19 per cent compared to January this year.

The results of the market survey were published in a report released by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics on Friday. 

Significant decreases were recorded for vegetables such as banana, ta’amu, head cabbage, cucumber and pumpkin supplies. And when compared with the same month last year, the current supply is 2 per cent lower.

The local market survey stated that the volume of taro supplies in February 2021 increased 12 per cent (to 10,383 kilograms) from January 2021; a level that was 17 per cent higher than the same month a year ago. 

The increase in supply in the market pushed its average price down 3 per cent (to $1.65 per kilogram) when compared with the same month last year current price was 31 per cent lower.

However, the supply of banana to the local markets in February fell 20 per cent (to 2,051 kilograms) from January 2021; a level that was 20 per cent higher than the same month last year. 

A reduction in the supply of banana to the local markets pushed its average price up 4 per cent (to $0.95 per kilogram). When compared with the same month last year current price was 14 per cent lower. 

Furthermore, in the month under review, the supply of coconut increased 5 per cent (to 5,025 kilograms) from the previous month, while increased availability pushed its average price down 1 per cent (to $0.94 per kilogram). 

And when compared with February 2020 current supply of coconut was 26 per cent lower while its average price rose 6 percent over the year.

In addition, the supply of vegetable produce to the local markets in the month under review experienced significant reduction in all vegetable produce, with the exception of tomato and Chinese cabbage recording a 59 (to 151 kilograms) and 41 per cent (to 112 kilograms) increase from the previous month respectively.

While pumpkin supplies fell by 24 per cent (to 3,837 kilograms) the head cabbage volume also fell 22 per cent (to 186 kilogram) and supplies of cucumber declined 8 per cent (to 488 kilograms) when compared to the previous month.

An elderly father of eight was selling his vegetables and fruits in front of his house on Saturday to earn some income for his family.

Seventy-year-old Seumalu Telea Brown, who lives with his family in Solaua village which can only be accessed by an inland road located 7 km inland from Saoluafata on the north eastern coast of Upolu Island, said his family has lived off the land for many years.

“We mostly use our agricultural produce for food consumption but at times where there are plenty then we sell them,” he said.