DRAM Shortage: TeamGroup Predicts Supply Constraints Until Mid-2027
Hardware enthusiasts should prepare for a long wait: Taiwanese memory manufacturer TeamGroup warned at a recent investor event that the current DRAM shortage is not a temporary glitch, but a result of fundamental market shifts. The company predicts that supply constraints and price volatility could persist at least until mid-2027.
During an investor meeting on November 2, TeamGroup representatives emphasized that the current memory cycle differs significantly from previous periods of market volatility. Rather than temporary fluctuations, the industry is facing structural changes. The primary drivers include increasing market concentration among both chipmakers (SK hynix, Samsung, and Micron) and module manufacturers, alongside the massive demand surge from the AI sector.
Impact on Consumer Markets and Pricing
The impact on end-users is already becoming visible. For instance, DDR5 kits (such as 2x16 GB, 6,000 MT/s, CL30) are reportedly seeing prices as high as €500, reflecting the tightening supply. This creates a challenging cycle for the industry: rising RAM costs force PC manufacturers to increase the retail price of complete systems, which in turn dampens overall consumer demand. Meanwhile, chipmakers like SK hynix, Samsung, and Micron report full order books and no shortage of demand.
2027 Outlook and the Role of AI
The outlook remains grim because production capacities for 2027 are already largely committed. Major manufacturers have secured long-term agreements that extend as far as 2030. Consequently, prices are expected to remain high throughout the current quarter and the first half of 2027. A meaningful easing of the shortage is unlikely until new production facilities come online, a process expected to gain momentum only after 2028. Ultimately, the speed of market stabilization will depend heavily on the continued trajectory of AI-driven demand.
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