RAM Shortage Could Persist Until 2027, Industry Experts Warn

RAM shortages plaguing the tech industry are set to continue for the next several years, with industry experts predicting the crisis could last until 2027 or even 2030.

According to a recent report from Nikkei Asia, even as memory chip manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron ramp up production, they are only expected to meet around 60% of global DRAM demand by the end of 2027.

SK Group chairman has even gone so far as to suggest the chip shortage could last until 2030.

The world's top memory chip manufacturers are all racing to add new production capacity, but industry analysts say almost none of these new fabs will be operational until at least 2027, if not 2028.

The sole exception is a new fab opened by SK in Cheongju, South Korea in February 2023 - the only major increase in production expected among the top three memory makers over the next few years.

To meet projected demand, Nikkei estimates production would need to increase by 12% annually in 2026 and 2027. But according to research firm Counterpoint, the memory industry has struggled to achieve growth rates above 5-7% in recent years.

The persistent RAM shortage has already had a significant impact on the broader tech industry, driving up prices for PCs, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Analysts warn the crunch is likely to continue hampering tech supply chains for the foreseeable future.

With memory chip production failing to keep pace with soaring global demand, particularly from the booming AI and data center markets, the RAM shortage could prove to be one of the most stubborn supply chain challenges the tech industry has faced in recent years.

While manufacturers scramble to bring new fab capacity online, consumers and businesses alike may have to brace for persistent RAM supply issues and elevated prices well into the end of the decade.