YMTC Warns Global Memory Shortage to Last Three More Years
A YMTC source says the shortage will persist at least three more years, as TrendForce forecasts meaningful Q4 2026 RAM price increases driven by US cloud providers.
A source at Chinese memory chip maker YMTC said the company expects the global memory shortage to last for at least another three years, according to techradar.com. The warning comes as YMTC has raised pricing for its chips and is shifting production toward higher-margin chips.
Market research firm TrendForce separately reported that DRAM supply is "very tight" and that early-stage discussions on Q4 2026 contract pricing point to meaningful price increases. TrendForce attributed the strengthening demand pushing up fourth-quarter pricing particularly to US cloud service providers.
The two signals point to continued pressure on the memory market, with DRAM supply described as tight and contract negotiations already reflecting upward momentum for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Ongoing pressure
In October 2025, TrendForce forecast that NAND supply would come back into balance later in 2027. Before the current RAM crisis began, DDR5 memory in the German market is up 544% on its earlier price, and other analysts and industry figures, including Nvidia's CEO, have said the memory crisis could last until 2030.
Quick answers
How long will the global memory shortage last?
A source at YMTC said the company expects the shortage to last for at least another three years.
What did TrendForce say about Q4 2026 RAM prices?
TrendForce reported that DRAM supply is "very tight" and that early-stage discussions on Q4 2026 contract pricing point to meaningful price increases.
What is driving the increase in fourth-quarter memory pricing?
TrendForce attributed the strengthening demand particularly to US cloud service providers.