Costco Raises Motor Oil Price, Limits Purchases Amid Supply Crunch

Costco has significantly raised the price of its Kirkland Signature motor oil and imposed purchase limits on customers, citing ongoing supply constraints tied to the conflict in the Middle East. The wholesale club now charges approximately $58 for a 10-quart case of its full-synthetic motor oil, a substantial increase from the roughly $30 to $35 price point it maintained for several years. Customers are restricted to purchasing two cases per week. The company has also placed limits on another popular brand, limiting purchases of Mobil 1 full-synthetic motor oil to five 1-quart six-packs per membership. The measures reflect broader pressures in the global oil market, where a combination of conflict and refiner priorities has tightened the supply of essential base oils. Industry analysts attribute the shortage to disruptions in the Persian Gulf, a key source of Group III base oils used in synthetic motor oil production. The ongoing conflict has impacted crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, while refiners are increasingly prioritizing the production of more profitable fuels like diesel and jet fuel.