The memory markets are in crisis. DRAM prices have jumped nearly 170% year-on-year and are still rising, due to the huge increase in the building of data centre infrastructure to support AI applications. These conditions are expected to continue throughout 2026. As prices rise and lead times extend, we can help you to navigate these turbulent times.
If you have open demand or projects planned for the coming months, now is the time to engage with Solsta. We have partnerships with Industry-leading memory manufacturers and are currently supported with allocation and pricing where possible. Early conversations can help lock in supply and mitigate further cost increases.
We can:
- Buy ahead
- Secure and hold stock for extended periods to lock in pricing
- Provide reliable and dependable sourcing with anti-counterfeit controls
- Offer lower cost alternatives
- Provide design services for reducing BOM costs and lead times
- Be your trusted adviser on the market situation and solutions available
As of December 2025, DRAM spot prices had nearly tripled year-on-year. DDR5 16GB modules more than quadrupled from July to November with spot prices reaching $200 per module, and some consumer DDR5 memory kits have more than quadrupled in price since May.
The primary driver is skyrocketing demand for memory in AI data centres, as memory manufacturers diverted wafers away from consumer DRAM production to produce high-bandwidth memory for AI servers. This is a supply constraint rather than organic demand growth – manufacturers simply can’t redirect capacity quickly enough.
Major PC makers including Dell, Acer, Lenovo and ASUS implemented price increases ranging from 10-30% in December, with more widespread increases expected in Q1 2026. Micron has exited the consumer memory market, discontinuing its Crucial brand to redirect capacity to AI data centres, leaving Samsung and SK Hynix as the only major consumer DRAM suppliers.
Analyst forecasts vary considerably. Memory prices are projected to rise sharply again in Q1 2026, with TrendForce forecasting more significant price fluctuations by Q2 2026. Some industry sources suggest supply tightness could persist through at least Q4 2027, with the price peak expected around mid-2026. This could significantly impact industrial computing and embedded systems suppliers, particularly if they’re sourcing components with memory components integrated.
The memory market is continuing to harden, with ongoing manufacturer price increases across DDR4, DDR5 and FLASH products. DDR4 availability is tightening as manufacturers shift capacity, DDR5 demand is accelerating rapidly and FLASH pricing is rising due to higher production costs and shifting demand.
These conditions are expected to continue throughout 2026, and the outlook suggests pricing and availability are unlikely to soften in the near term.
Solsta is actively supporting customers with DDR4, DDR5 and FLASH requirements and forward planning. Please contact our Sourcing Team directly to discuss how we can help.