Memory prices look set to surge in the aftermath of the earthquakes and tsunami that hit Japan, according to analysts.

With the world still unsure just how much damage the disaster has caused to Japan's manufacturing capability, market speculators appear to be banking on the inevitable disruption to restrict supply and push prices up.

The instability pushed spot trading prices for DDR3 1Gb 128Mx8 units up by more than 7.5% in trading today, according to DRAMeXchange, and other prices were equally volatile.

The spot price for 16GB NAND flash memory chips rose 12.5% as traders stockpiled available components and some suppliers stopped offering prices in the volatile market.

The research company said Japan makes more than one in five semiconductors used globally, and enjoys a 35% market share of NAND Flash memory. The country also supplies 13% of the world's DRAM chips.

“Based on past experience, DRAMeXchange believes that manufactures will evaluate their fab equipment and make necessary repair,” said Joan Chen, in a post on the company's blog.

“Although the semiconductor production line was not severely damaged, the material supply and basic traffic reconstruction will impact more on the supply of semiconductor than production line damage. The overall supply is expected to be affected for the next two weeks due to traffic difficulties.”

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/365941/japa ... es-soaring

For "market speculators" read "swivel-eyed capitalist parasites".

That is almost sig-worthy.

[edit] Don't the Japanese outsource their fab work to Malaysia and Taiwan?

For Apple they pre-bought their supplies so it will be everyone else that has to pay the higher prices. Apple kit should hold steady for now.

And yet, somehow, the other kit will still be cheaper.

It does depend how severe the shortages become. Though even so I will have to agree with you.

So those who've been waiting for Intel to fix their 6 series chipset will now have to pay a tonne more for their RAM.

Sucks to be them.

Guess who put off a 4GB upgrade to his iMac?
</regrets>

Shouldn't you nominate yourself for a tale of fail?

Where are these component price rises?

Any changes in price always take a while to filter through to retail pricing.

Add in the fact that many times the supplier cannot pass on the price increases until everyone is impacted. If they tried to raise the price now they would not sell any at all, not while others have stock available.