October Quotes Pulled as Memory Prices Climb into 4Q26

(Data as of 30 September 2026)

The memory contract price cycle has not yet run its course. TrendForce's latest memory industry research, published on 30 September, projects conventional DRAM contract prices to rise 10–15% QoQ in the fourth quarter of 2026, with NAND Flash contract prices up 15–20% QoQ. Growth is moderating from earlier quarters, but every figure remains in double digits.

The more consequential signal for buyers is on the supply side. According to supply-chain reports, Samsung notified customers in late September that it would suspend October DDR5 contract quotations; SK Hynix and Micron followed, and quotations are not expected to resume before mid-November. Between them, the three suppliers account for the bulk of global DRAM capacity. Their collective withdrawal has left fourth-quarter contract negotiations in a vacuum, and DDR5 spot prices rose roughly 25% within a single week. These reports originate from media sources and have not been directly confirmed by the suppliers.

AI remains the structural driver. Suppliers continue to steer leading-edge capacity toward server products and HBM, keeping conventional DRAM undersupplied. Enterprise SSD is the only category expected to see price growth accelerate in 4Q26, with TrendForce forecasting bit demand to grow more than 80% YoY in 2026. Passive components are moving in step: Samsung Electro-Mechanics raised shipment prices across its full MLCC line by 30% from August, and Taiyo Yuden adjusted MLCC prices from 1 September.

Channel quotations have already repriced. A Dazhong News channel survey in late September, as reported by industry media, put year-on-year increases for mainstream storage products above 100% across the board: roughly +300% for 16GB DDR5 modules, +322% for 32GB DDR5 kits and +132% for 1TB SSDs.

For buyers, the operative question is no longer whether prices will rise, but whether supply can be secured on schedule. YANGSHIN Technology distributes memory lines from JC Semiconductor, Kangying Semiconductor and Youcun Technology. To discuss 4Q26 inventory planning and lead-time confirmation, please contact the YANGSHIN Technology sales team.