RAM SHORTAGE COULD PERSIST UNTIL 2030

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

SUN, APR 19, 2026

Global DRAM production will struggle to meet demand for years, with manufacturers expected to fulfill only 60 percent of needs by 2027, according to Nikkei Asia. SK Group's chairman warned shortages could extend to 2030.

The world's three largest memory chipmakers—Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—are expanding production capacity, but most new fabrication plants won't become operational until 2027 at the earliest, with some delayed until 2028. SK Hynix opened a fab in Cheongju in February, marking the only near-term production increase among the major suppliers. The gap between supply and demand will force manufacturers to make difficult allocation choices across industries reliant on DRAM chips. The prolonged shortage reflects both surging global demand for memory chips and the significant time required to construct and operationalize semiconductor fabrication facilities. The capital-intensive nature of fab development means supply constraints will persist even as companies aggressively pursue expansion.

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RAM SHORTAGE COULD PERSIST UNTIL 2030

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