Memory Prices Now Rising Hourly

The memory market is currently in a phase of instability. Prices for memory modules are being revised literally every hour, creating very difficult conditions for small electronics businesses.

Priority for Giants and Deficits for Others

A serious imbalance is observed in the market: limited resources are distributed among the largest corporations, leaving over 190,000 small companies without access to procurement. Suppliers prioritize cooperation with giants like Apple and Samsung because they are less sensitive to fluctuations. 

Currently, suppliers are asking for prepayments years in advance, and small businesses do not have this capability.

Production Cuts and Price Increase Forecasts

Many manufacturers are forced to reduce their own production volumes and switch to survival mode. Analysts predict further price increases in the near future. In the current quarter, DRAM prices could nearly double, while NAND prices could rise by at least 1.5 times. In the second quarter, an additional 70% jump in DRAM prices is expected. Forecasts suggest the deficit will last at least until the end of 2027.

Consequences for the Consumer Market

Rising component costs will inevitably hit the end-device market. 

Experts predict a device shortage in the smartphone market between 13% and 31% by the end of the year. In the PC sector, the situation is similar: small brands without preferential contracts with memory suppliers are unlikely to compete on price with market leaders. This could lead to a global reduction in the range of available gadgets.