What to Buy at Costco Before Tariffs Go Into Effect

Last week, I bought four bottles of avocado oil. I wasn’t planning for a big gathering—I was stocking up for the future. I use Chosen Foods avocado oil spray nearly every time I cook, whether I’m searing a pork chop or air-frying broccoli. And while a pair of 13.5-ounce spray bottles tends to cost $16 or more, I was worried that prices were about to rise steeply.

That’s because on April 2, President Donald Trump announced wide-sweeping tariffs with the goal of evening up trade deficits with the rest of the world. Those tariffs are currently on a 90-day hold that will end on July 9. Even so, tariffs against China remain in effect, and they range up to 245%, depending on the type of product being imported.

What Are Tariffs? 

Tariffs are taxes on imported—or exported—goods. That means that when a product is shipped from one country to another, each country can apply a relevant tariff, with the rate depending on the country and what kind of product is changing hands. Tariffs increase prices for foreign buyers, translating to higher costs on anything affected, whether it’s cars or groceries. 

The importing companies will be responsible for paying the tariff, and much of that price increase will be passed on to consumers. The good news is that while there are some elevated tariffs in place against Canada and Mexico, food products are still traded tariff-free under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Still, tariffs against Canadian and Mexican products have fluctuated, and it’s possible that the exception for agricultural and food products could go away. That would make for major changes in the produce section, since Mexico is the largest exporter of fruits and vegetables to the U.S.

There may also be disruptions to the supply chain, meaning that while demand stays the same, supplies could go down. That results in both less product and higher prices, like what we’ve seen with eggs in recent months due to the avian influenza outbreak.

Following these changes may create whiplash for some shoppers, but we’re here to help. Just like at the height of the COVID pandemic, it may be time to stock up on some favorites. Often, the most budget-friendly way to do so is by heading to Costco. These are the Costco finds that may be wise to stock up on before tariffs take effect, so keep them in mind on your next run to the store.

What to Buy from Costco Before Tariffs Take Effect

Cooking Oil

There’s more than one reason that I was buying all the avocado oil I could fit in my pantry. One is the fact that most avocados that hit our shelves come from Mexico. If tariffs on food go into effect against Mexico, that avocado oil could be headed for a spike in price. The other reason is that most healthy cooking oils are also made from imports, which makes them likely to go up in price. Olive oil, for example, is mostly made from fruits picked in the Mediterranean. Most of the olive oil imported to the U.S. comes from Italy and Spain, both of which would face 20% tariffs as members of the European Union should the reciprocal tariffs go into place.

If you decide to pick up some of those trusty oils on your next Costco run, remember to keep your oils in a cool, dark place for the longest shelf life.

Steak

Despite the large presence of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and its classic “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner” campaign, lots of the red meat eaten in the U.S. is imported from Canada. At Costco, you have a great opportunity to buy fresh beef, then cut it up into portion-size steaks to freeze and consume later. Just make sure your favorite cutting board and a good knife are handy, and you can go to work.

Salmon

As Canadian imports of salmon have sunk in recent decades, China has picked up much of the slack. You know where this is going. Even if you buy American, demand created by the high prices of the foreign-caught fish will likely make one of your favorite healthy proteins go up in price. This is another one to portion and freeze. As an added bonus, cooking salmon from frozen isn’t just easy—it’s delicious, too.

And if you want to have your fish stored securely, it might not be a bad time to buy a vacuum sealer on your next Costco trip, too. 

Imported Cheese

While there are American-made brands of European-inspired cheeses, the real deal can often be the highest quality. Tariffs on goods like Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy and Swiss Gruyère (the latter of which may end up with a 31% markup) could put the hurt on cheese lovers. Hard cheeses like those freeze surprisingly well, so don’t be afraid to stock up!

Wine

Yes, California wines are awesome, but sometimes you want authentic French Champagne for a celebration. And we know that Costco has a superb selection of wine—you can even invest in something like Lafite Rothschild before it becomes even pricier than it already is. Sommeliers have a few recommendations for you, if you’re looking for suggestions.

Rice

According to the USDA, rice imported to the United States mostly comes from Asia, and that includes varieties like basmati from India and Pakistan and jasmine from Thailand. Should the original reciprocal tariffs go into place, there would be a 36% markup on rice imported from Thailand. If you’re a big fan of jasmine rice, grab a bag from Costco and store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. 

Spices

Whether you love cumin to make your favorite Mexican and Moroccan dishes or need vanilla for your baked goods, you’re likely relying on foreign-grown spices to make your dishes as tasty as possible. Kirkland-brand vanilla beans at Costco come from Madagascar, which may soon face a 47% tariff. Costco’s generic vanilla extract is more vague about its origins—it’s processed in the U.S. but made with imported beans—so there’s a good chance it will face an uptick in price as well.

Countries like China and India are the leading exporters of spices to the rest of the world. That means those already pricey products could end up facing a 26% tariff when imported from India. Imported products from China are already facing varying tariffs of up to 245%. If you’re planning on making dishes like our Cumin Chicken & Chickpea Stew or sipping a mug of chai, go ahead and keep any spices you buy in a cool, dry place. If you don’t use your spices as much, it’s A-OK to freeze them in sealed packages.

The Bottom Line

There’s no denying that food prices are in flux right now, and the economic and culinary landscape will certainly continue to change. We should know more about U.S. tariffs by July 9, when Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs will officially end. At that point, some of the tariffs may go into effect at their original rates, while others may have been negotiated down during the pause. But there’s one thing we know for certain: It’s always smart to shop in bulk when you can.

Costco is your best bet for many of the products we listed, but just use the rule of thumb that if it’s imported or if our market relies on lots of imports of a specific food, prices will probably rise this summer. If some of your favorite everyday items will be affected, buying now could help you save a little money down the line.