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South Korean memory export volumes and contract prices exceed market expectations
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Memory semiconductor contract prices and South Korean trade export volumes are currently exceeding initial forecasts, indicating continued upward momentum in the memory market.
Context
South Korea’s semiconductor industry has reached a historic peak, with exports hitting an all-time monthly high of $86.13 billion in March 2026. This surge was primarily driven by a 151.4% year-on-year increase in semiconductor shipments, which topped $32.84 billion. Major memory producers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are benefiting from an unprecedented supply-demand imbalance as manufacturing capacity is diverted from consumer electronics toward high-margin AI infrastructure like HBM and DDR5.
The impact on the global supply chain is profound, as memory contract prices continue to exceed market expectations. DRAM contract prices rose by approximately 90-95% in Q1 2026, with NAND Flash prices expected to jump up to 75% in Q2. Analysts warn that these soaring costs may cause a 10.4% decline in global PC shipments this year as entry-level models become nonviable. With meaningful capacity expansion not anticipated until late 2027, the current memory boom is reshaping pricing strategies across the entire AI and consumer hardware ecosystem.
Sources (11)
Gartner Says Surging Memory Costs Will Reduce Global PC and Smartphone Shipments in 2026[PDF] Earnings Presentation: 4Q 2024 Financial Results - SamsungSouth Korea chip boom powers export growth to four-decade high | ReutersKorea exports top $80b for first time on chip boom - The Korea Herald
AI memory boom squeezes legacy DRAM supply, pushing prices higher | S&P Global
IDC - Global Memory Shortage Crisis: Market Analysis and the Potential Impact on the Smartphone and PC Markets in 2026 DRAM prices predicted to jump 63% in Q2, NAND up to 75% — follows 95% jumps in Q1, Trendforce says AI server demand keeps supply tight | Tom's Hardware[News] NAND Flash Price Hikes Reportedly Set for Q3, with Supply Shortage Likely Stretching Into 2026
Related Companies
SK Hynix
000660
Samsung Electronics
005930