Costco hikes Kirkland motor oil price to $58 and caps weekly purchases
Costco raised the price of its Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil to $58 per case and limited customers to two cases per week as global oil prices climb amid Middle East supply disruptions.
Costco announced a price increase for its Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil, now listed at $58 for a 10-quart case on the retailer’s website, up from $30-$35 in recent years. The company also imposed a purchase limit of two cases per member each week. In addition, the retailer restricted sales of Mobil 1 full-synthetic motor oil’s 1-quart six-pack, priced around $44, to five units per membership.
Analysts note that the synthetic oil relies heavily on Group III base oils, a significant portion of which is imported from the Persian Gulf. Ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted shipments, tightening supply and contributing to higher crude oil prices. Brent crude futures rose above $109 per barrel, up from under $72 in early July, as uncertainty persists over oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
Higher crude costs have pushed the national average price of regular gasoline to about $4.32 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, while diesel prices have surpassed $6 per gallon nationally.