Even with suppliers ramping up production, we should expect the current memory shortage to stick around for some time.
That is according to a Nikkei Asia report, which claims Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are currently working to bulk up fabrication capacity. However, none of it will be online until 2027 at the earliest.
An SK Hynix executive even estimated shortages could last until 2030.
The report claims production would need to increase by 12 percent each year in 2026 and 2027 to meet demand. So far, production plans dictate an increase of 7.5 percent instead.
There are several things to consider.
To start, the new fabrication facilities will focus on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI data centers. Seeing how the three memory makers are prioritizing HBM over standard DRAM, it’s doubtful this will address the lack of memory for consumer electronics.
Then there are the memory makers themselves.
In general, they are hesitant to construct more fabrication facilities due to fears of them not seeing a return on that investment. As a result, one can argue the high demand for memory is at least in part artificially inflated.
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