Memory chip prices surge amid tariff concerns and tighter DDR4 supply

June 2, 2025 — Global memory chip prices extended their rally in May, driven by tariff-related stockpiling and a shrinking supply of DDR4 products. The average price for an 8GB DDR4 chip rose to $2.10, marking a 27% increase from April and a continued rise from $1.37 in March.

The surge follows heightened concerns over U.S. trade policy. Although a 90-day grace period was granted after former President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs in April, companies have moved swiftly to secure DRAM and NAND flash chips in anticipation of higher costs.

Supply-side pressures are also mounting. Leading DRAM producers—Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix—have begun cutting DDR4 output, responding to prolonged price competition from Chinese manufacturers. Reports suggest some Chinese chipmakers are also halting DDR4 production, tightening global availability.

After steep price declines in September and November 2024, memory prices stabilized for several months before resuming their climb in April 2025. Unless geopolitical risks ease and production normalizes, DRAM and NAND costs are expected to rise further, potentially squeezing margins across the semiconductor and PC hardware industries.