Korean Media: Memory Shortage Worsens, Server DRAM Spot Prices See a Significant 146% Premium

Glonghui, July 24 — According to South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo, spot prices for server DRAM have fluctuated sharply recently. The spot price for 64GB server DRAM has exceeded $3,100, approximately 146% higher than the contract price of $1,380 at the end of June. A price spike in the spot market often signals that long-term contract prices are about to follow suit. Generally, the spot market is used to fill short-term gaps, with premiums typically staying between 10% and 20%. A 146% price difference means the supply and demand gap has grown so large it cannot be filled through normal channels, and this pricing state clearly shows signs of crisis. If the strength in spot prices eventually drives up contract prices, it will directly improve the overall average selling price, thus expanding revenue and profit margins. Previous price transmission trends show that spot prices lead contract prices by about 4 to 6 weeks. According to a report from Meritz Securities, since mid-July, spot prices have entered a steep upward trajectory, and demand for data center testing for new AI applications has even led to shortages in sample memory chips. The report compares the current market rhythm to that of January this year: at that time, urgent AI server orders also drove up spot prices first, which then passed through to contract prices in February.