Prices at Costco have always been pretty stable compared to regular grocery stores, but things are changing. Between supply chain issues, tariffs, and good old-fashioned inflation, even the warehouse giant can’t keep all its prices from creeping up. The membership fees you pay help keep costs down, but when everything from fuel to fertilizer gets more expensive, those savings can only stretch so far. Right now, smart shoppers are loading up on certain items before they get hit with price increases that might stick around for a while.
That rotisserie chicken is still a steal
Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken has been stuck at $4.99 for years, and it’s one of the last holdouts against rising meat prices. A whole 3-pound cooked bird is cheaper than buying raw chicken at most regular stores, which makes zero sense until you remember that Costco uses it as a loss leader to get you in the door. The chicken comes in sturdy bags instead of those flimsy containers that leak all over your trunk, so that’s already a win.
You can stretch one of these chickens into multiple meals without much effort. Shred it for salads and sandwiches, toss it into pasta, or strip the bones to make broth that’s way better than the boxed stuff. The chicken stays good in the fridge for four days, so grab two if you’re meal prepping. Just be aware that if ingredient costs keep climbing, even Costco might have to budge on that price eventually.
Dairy products are climbing fast
Butter, yogurt, and ice cream have all gotten noticeably more expensive in the past few years. Between January 2022 and June 2025, butter jumped from about $3.67 to $4.87 per pound, and ice cream went from $4.99 to $6.49 for a half gallon. That’s roughly 30% more expensive, and the trend isn’t slowing down. Fuel costs for transporting dairy products keep going up, and there’s been an outbreak of avian flu in dairy cows that’s making things worse.
A lot of Costco’s dairy comes from overseas, which adds another layer of uncertainty. The Kirkland Greek yogurt is likely from a German company called Ehrmann, and the butter often comes from Ireland or New Zealand. If tariffs on European and New Zealand goods go up like people are predicting, those prices will climb even more. Stock your freezer now with extra butter and cheese before the next wave of increases hits.
Olive oil prices are all over the place
Remember when olive oil got stupidly expensive a couple of years ago because of droughts in Spain and Italy? Prices shot up by 40% and stayed there for way too long. Things finally started looking better in late 2024 when there was decent rainfall in the Mediterranean, but then tariffs came along and messed everything up again. The U.S. slapped 20% taxes on goods from the European Union, with talk of bumping it to 30% by August.
Costco sells several kinds of olive oil, including Greek and Italian brands, plus Kirkland Signature makes its own with a blend of Mediterranean olives. If you want to avoid the tariff drama completely, grab their California extra virgin olive oil instead, which comes from closer to home. Either way, olive oil can sit unopened in your pantry for up to two years, so there’s no harm in grabbing an extra jug or two while prices are still reasonable.
Coffee is getting way more expensive
If you’ve noticed your Costco coffee costing more lately, you’re not imagining things. Some shoppers have pointed out that Kirkland Signature even changed the label on its Colombian coffee, dropping the “100%” part. Word is they’re now using a blend of whatever beans they can get their hands on because supply has gotten tighter. The U.S. imports most of its coffee from Brazil and Colombia, and both countries have had problems with bad weather ruining harvests.
On top of that, everything that goes into producing coffee costs more now, from fertilizer to fuel for shipping. Brazil is facing potential tariffs of up to 50%, which could push prices even higher. Whether you’re buying the big tubs of Kirkland, bags of Peet’s, or those Starbucks pods, consider doubling your usual order next time. Coffee doesn’t go bad quickly if you store it properly, and your morning routine shouldn’t have to suffer from economic chaos.
Tomatoes are caught in tariff confusion
Fresh tomatoes have been through a lot this year because of back-and-forth arguments about trade agreements. The U.S. imports about 4 billion pounds of tomatoes from Mexico every year, which makes up 70% of what we eat. Most grocery items from Mexico are protected under free trade agreements, but tomatoes got singled out for a 17% tax to try to boost American tomato farming. This breaks an older agreement from 2019 that let Mexican tomatoes come in without extra costs.
When you’re looking at tomatoes in the produce section at Costco, the labels usually say they’re from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. With all this uncertainty, it’s hard to know which ones will stay cheap and which ones will suddenly cost more. Your best bet is to load up during the summer when local tomatoes are more available, then can them or make big batches of sauce to freeze. That way, you’re not at the mercy of whatever happens with trade policies.
Nuts are sourced from everywhere
Check out the back of a bag of Kirkland mixed nuts sometime and count how many countries are listed. It’s usually at least 15 different places spread across multiple continents, from the Americas to Africa and Asia. This makes nuts especially vulnerable to price changes because problems in any of those countries can affect what you pay. Canada threatened 25% tariffs on U.S. goods earlier this year, though things calmed down a bit thanks to trade agreements.
Even without tariff drama, nut prices have been creeping up because of droughts, increased demand, and higher farming costs. Almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts are all affected, whether you’re buying them separately or in those big mixed nut containers. Stock up now while prices are still manageable, especially if you use nuts for baking, snacking, or tossing into salads. They keep well in the freezer for months without losing quality.
European wines and spirits face big tariffs
Walking through Costco’s alcohol section is like taking a tour of different countries, especially when it comes to European wines and spirits. The U.S. spends billions on imported wine every year, and 75% of that comes from Europe. Costco has an impressive selection, from Spanish reds to French wines to Italian Barolos, plus spirits like that Kirkland French vodka that people swear tastes just as good as Grey Goose.
Here’s the problem: tariffs on European Union goods are threatening to jump to 30%, and there was even talk of 200% taxes specifically on alcohol. That would absolutely demolish the prices on all those imports you’ve been enjoying. If you have favorite European bottles, now’s the time to stock your home bar or wine rack before the increases hit. Wine keeps for years if stored properly, and spirits basically last forever, so you’re not risking anything by buying extra.
Instant noodles from Asia are getting taxed
Those big boxes of instant noodles at Costco are perfect for quick meals, late-night snacks, or upgrading with some eggs and vegetables. The Indomie Mi Goreng from Indonesia has a huge following, with people saying it’s cheaper at Costco than even small Asian grocery stores. The Korean Buldak spicy ramen carbonara and Chinese Ajinomoto yakisoba are also popular picks that could see price increases soon.
Tariffs on Asian countries are hovering around 30% right now, which has already been tough on specialty stores that depend on imports. Costco has managed to keep prices lower than most places, but that might not last if taxes keep climbing. The good news is that instant noodles are easy to store and have long shelf lives, so grabbing a few extra boxes makes sense. They also make American-produced options like Nissin cup noodles if you want to avoid the import price increases altogether.
Health food seeds keep getting pricier
Chia seeds, quinoa, and other health food seeds have gotten way more expensive over the past decade as more people discovered them. The demand from vegetarians, gluten-free eaters, and health-conscious shoppers pushed prices up naturally, and now tariffs are making things worse. Most of these seeds come from Latin American countries like Peru, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Mexico, which all face different levels of import taxes.
Look at the back of Costco’s 3-pound bag of Mayorga chia seeds, and you’ll see they’re packaged in Maryland but sourced from multiple countries. The Kirkland quinoa comes from Peru, which currently has 10% tariffs on agricultural products, with the possibility of going higher. These seeds last a long time in your pantry, so buying a couple extra bags now means you won’t have to pay inflated prices later when you’re sprinkling them on yogurt or tossing them in salads.
Costco has always been the place to stock up on stuff in bulk, but right now it’s smarter than ever to load your cart with items that might get hit with price increases. Trade policies are messy and unpredictable, supply chains are still recovering from recent chaos, and inflation isn’t going anywhere fast. The good news is that most of these items store well, whether in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. Grab what you can now while your membership is still saving you money, and you’ll thank yourself later when everyone else is complaining about prices.
