A local market survey of agricultural produce in March 2021 showed an overall volume increase of 10 per cent while strong domestic demand pushed the overall prices up by 6 per cent when compared to February 2021.

This was revealed in a report on local market survey issued by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (S.B.S.) this week. 

The survey measures the price and volume of selected agricultural produce from the local markets of Fugalei, Taufusi, Vaitele, Afega, Saleimoa, Fasitoo Uta, Savaia, Salelologa and selected urban roadside stalls every month.

According to the report, the increased domestic demand for taro and coconut together with the limited supplies of banana and pumpkin has contributed to the rise in the price index. 

“The value of supplies increased 20 per cent to $55,800 from the previous month,” stated the report.

It also added that the total number of sellers fell by 2 per cent to 237 from 242 in February 2021. 

Furthermore, the report highlighted that significant increases were recorded for taro, coconut, ta’amu, head cabbage, Chinese cabbage and cucumber supplies. And when compared with the same month last year, current supply is 55 per cent higher.

For the supply of taro it was at 12,434 kilograms in March 2021 and rose by 20 per cent from the previous month, while increased domestic demand pushed its average price up 4 per cent (to $1.72 per kilogram). When compared with March 2020, March 2021 supply of taro was 58 per cent higher while its average price was 28 per cent lower. 

The current supply of taro in the month under review contributed to a 22 per cent rise in volume comparing the 12 months ending March 2021 over the twelve months ending March 2020 when prices fell by 8 per cent. 

However, in the month under review, the supply of coconut increased by 15 per cent (to 5,763 kilograms) from the previous month, while increased demand pushed its average price up 7 per cent (to $1.01 per kilogram). When compared with March 2020 the current supply of coconut was 22 per cent higher while its average price rose 11 per cent over the year. 

Comparing the twelve months ending March 2021, over the 12 months ending March 2020 the supply of coconut was 35 per cent lower while its average price increased by 1 per cent. 

As for the supply of banana to the local markets in March 2021, it fell by 24 per cent (to 1,564 kilograms) from February 2021; a level that was 62 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 by 7 per cent (to $1.02 per kilogram). When compared with the same month last year current price was 4 per cent lower. 

In addition, at an average of 113 kilograms, ta’amu supply in March 2021 increased more than twenty times from the previous month. An abundance of ta’amu to the local markets pushed its average down 29 per cent (to $3.69 per kilogram). 

Additionally, the supply of vegetable produce to the local markets in the month under review experienced significant increases for all produce with the exception of tomato and pumpkin recording a 60 per cent (to 60 kilograms) and 7 per cent (to 3,581 kilograms) decline respectively. 

Head cabbage supplies registered the largest increase of 138 per cent (to 442 kilograms) while cucumber supplies also increased 67 per cent (to 816 kilogram) followed by Chinese cabbage supplies with a 55 per cent increase in volume (to 174 kilograms) when compared to the previous month.