Memory chip shortage: Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron exhaust capacity through 2027

memory chip shortage DRAM pricing HBM demand AI infrastructure semiconductor industry

The global memory chip market is experiencing a dramatic shift driven by the surge in artificial intelligence demand. Major manufacturers including Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron Technology have reportedly sold out their DRAM and High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) production capacity through 2027.

This supply constraint has caused a significant reversal in the long-term downward trend of memory pricing. Analysts note that RAM prices per unit have surged to levels comparable to 2007-2008, erasing decades of cost reductions. The scarcity is largely attributed to AI hyperscalers and data centers aggressively securing HBM to power next-generation GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD.

In the NAND flash market, Sandisk has already sold approximately two-thirds of its production capacity for the next two years to large institutional customers specializing in supercomputing and AI. While the industry sees annual capacity growth of roughly 20%, AI-driven demand is estimated to grow at rates as high as 200% annually, creating a persistent supply-demand imbalance.

Entities

AMD · CXMT · Crucial · DRAM and HBM market · DigiTimes · Micron · Micron Technology · Micron Technology Inc · Nvidia · SK Hynix · SK Hynix Inc · Samsung

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Samsung held a 39 % share of the global DRAM market in Q2 2026. www.techritual.com · soha.vn · www.techjuice.pk
[● 2 SOURCES] NAND flash production is also expected to be fully allocated by August 2026/2027. soha.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] AI data‑center expansion is driving the surge in memory chip demand. www.battlefield-france.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Samsung announced a new V10 BV‑NAND chip for data‑center workloads. www.webtekno.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron have sold all of their DRAM and HBM production capacity for 2027. www.battlefield-france.com · soha.vn · hwp.com.tr · mobilebulgaria.com
[● 3 SOURCES] No additional DRAM or HBM capacity is planned for 2027. www.battlefield-france.com · soha.vn · hwp.com.tr
[● 2 SOURCES] The RAM shortage is expected to continue into 2028. soha.vn
[○ 1 SOURCE] Crucial has exhausted its replacement stock and now offers refunds instead of new modules. www.ginjfo.com
[● 2 SOURCES] DDR5 prices range between $11.41 and $13.28 per GB. finance.technews.tw · technews.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron have sold all of their DRAM and HBM production capacity through 2027. mobilebulgaria.com · www.battlefield-france.com · www.tschlotfeldt.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Global memory capacity grows 20% annually, while AI demand may grow 200% annually. finance.technews.tw · technews.bg · www.hardwarecooking.fr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Samsung, Micron, and SanDisk have exhausted NAND capacity for the year. mobilebulgaria.com