Kioxia, the Japanese memory manufacturer, has reportedly sold out its manufacturing capacity through the end of 2026, signaling a prolonged period of high prices for both enterprise and consumer SSDs. This news comes as RAM and flash memory chip manufacturers are already experiencing record profits driven by the surge in demand related to artificial intelligence.
Shunsuke Nakato, managing director of Kioxia's memory division, indicated that the company's current production is fully committed, pushing the market into what he described as a "high-end and expensive phase." While specific financial figures related to Kioxia's sold-out capacity were not disclosed, the announcement suggests a significant backlog of orders and limited availability of its memory products for the next two years.
The AI boom is fueling unprecedented demand for memory chips, as companies race to invest in generative AI data centers. This investment cycle is expected to continue, further straining the supply chain and keeping prices elevated. The situation is particularly acute for RAM kits, which have already experienced significant shortages and price increases. The news from Kioxia suggests that SSD pricing is unlikely to improve in the near future, impacting both businesses and consumers.
Kioxia, formerly a part of Toshiba, was spun off as an independent memory company in the late 2010s. It is a major player in the global memory market, producing both NAND flash memory and SSDs. The company's announcement reflects the broader industry trend of constrained supply and rising prices, driven by the rapid growth of AI and data-intensive applications.
Looking ahead, the memory market is expected to remain tight as long as demand for generative AI data centers continues to grow. Nakato noted a "sense of crisis" among companies, who feel compelled to invest in AI to avoid being left behind. This ongoing investment will likely sustain the demand for memory chips, keeping prices high and potentially leading to further supply constraints. The long-term impact on smaller companies unable to afford high-end memory solutions remains a concern.
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