Blog • • 2 minute read

Navigating the Global Memory Shortage

As the memory market focuses on supporting AI data centers, organizations across industries can expect to see continued price increases in DRAM and NAND storage. Here's what you need to know.

In this blog

  1. What's happening in the memory market
  2. A steady hand in a constrained market

An industrywide shortage of memory components, specifically dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and negative and logic gate-based flash memory (NAND), is impacting IT procurement across sectors and constraining the availability of servers, storage platforms and end-user devices. Increasingly, our clients are experiencing volatile lead times, limits on the amount of product they can purchase and sustained pricing pressure.

WWT is actively tracking these dynamics and helping clients plan, prioritize and reduce risks. 

 What's happening in the memory market

Global DRAM and NAND demand has accelerated sharply as AI models grow larger, more complex and more memory-intensive. Hyperscalers are absorbing a significant share of available supply to support GPU-dense architectures, high-performance storage and next-generation data centers.

Several realities are now clear. This is structural, not a short-term disruption. Pricing pressure, allocation limits and extended lead times are expected to persist well into 2026. Shortages now extend beyond DRAM into SSD (solid-state drive) and HDD (hard disk drive) markets, affecting both client and data center environments (TrendForce, 2026; Reuters, 2025).  

 A steady hand in a constrained market

The scale and duration of today's memory shortages make proactive planning essential. Gartner emphasizes the importance of scenario planning, selecting vendors with diverse supply options and expectation management in prolonged technology supply constraints (Gartner, 2024). Organizations that set expectations early and adapt their procurement strategies will be best positioned to maintain momentum. 

In volatile markets, early and transparent communication matters. WWT works closely with our original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to provide timely guidance on pricing, availability and lead times so our clients can plan with confidence.

We are committed to being a steady hand in this environment, combining deep OEM relationships, supply chain visibility and practical guidance to help clients move forward, even as conditions remain uncertain.

 Sources

Looking for answers to common questions about how the memory shortage may affect your business?

We've also put together a memory shortage FAQ guide that covers key topics we're hearing from customers. Check it out here: https://www.wwt.com/wwt-memory-shortage-faq