Based on the most recent storage industry survey report from TrendForce, the demand surge from AI applications and data centers in the first quarter of 2026 is set to intensify the global imbalance between memory supply and demand. This shift will significantly bolster the bargaining clout of original manufacturers. Consequently, TrendForce has revised upwards its quarterly price increase projections for a range of DRAM and NAND Flash products for the first quarter. It is now anticipated that the overall contract prices for Conventional DRAM will see a steeper rise, adjusting from the 55-60% quarterly increase announced in early January to a staggering 90-95% hike. Similarly, NAND Flash contract prices are expected to climb from a 33-38% quarterly increase to a range of 55-60%, with the potential for further upward adjustments.
