The market researcher also expects NAND Flash contract prices to rise 10%-15%, with AI inference and data center demand supporting gains even as consumer demand slows.
TrendForce expects the DRAM market to enter a severe, broad-based supply shortage in the third quarter of 2026, a backdrop that it says should push contract prices up 13%-18% from the previous quarter. The firm also forecast a 10%-15% quarter-over-quarter increase in NAND Flash contract prices, supported by AI inference and demand from large-scale data centers. Even so, it said NAND price gains could narrow if consumer demand weakens further while prices stay at historic highs.