Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) said on a July 14 earnings call that it raised DRAM wafer start prices in July by about 45 percent from June levels, reflecting the structural severity of the AI-driven memory shortage.
The Taiwanese memory foundry also lifted mature-node foundry quotes by 10 to 15 percent. PSMC’s 12-inch wafer output reached approximately 415,000 units with utilization climbing from 85 to 88 percent, nearing full capacity. The company expects operations to peak by year-end.
The dramatic price hikes underscore how AI infrastructure buildout has consumed massive DRAM and HBM supply, leaving little capacity for traditional markets. Rival memory makers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have all reported record margins this year, with AI-related memory now accounting for an outsized share of revenue.
Industry analysts expect the memory market to remain tight through the second half of 2026, with TrendForce forecasting DRAM prices will rise another 10 to 20 percent quarter-over-quarter in Q3.
