Costco Slaps Purchase Limits on Motor Oil Amid Global Shortage

The warehouse retailer Costco has introduced purchasing limits on its motor oil due to rising prices. A 10-quart box of Kirkland Signature full-synthetic motor oil, which historically retailed for $30, is now selling for $58 per box, with a two-box-per-customer weekly limit in place.

The increase in prices can be attributed to a global lubricant shortage caused by the ongoing military entanglement with Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This has effectively choked off exports from major Persian Gulf producers such as Bapco in Bahrain, ADNOC in the United Arab Emirates, and Pearl GTL in Qatar.

The Pearl GTL facility in Qatar was damaged by Iranian airstrikes in March 2026, crippling a significant portion of global production for at least a year. Additionally, South Korean refiners are struggling to secure raw crude oil due to their own supply chain issues.