Memory chip prices are surging again as sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory, or HBM4, begins shipping in volume for artificial intelligence data centers operated by global technology giants. Prices for both HBM and commodity DRAM climbed after Samsung Electronics and SK hynix signed a series of long-term agreements, or LTAs, with big tech customers.
The average export price of a single HBM unit reached $76.13 at the end of July, up 9.5% from the previous month and topping $70 for the first time, according to the Korea International Trade Association on the 31st. Export value fell 20.4% to $10.09 billion (about 13.81 trillion won) from $12.68 billion in June, but shipment volume dropped 27.3% to 132.47 million units, pushing up the unit price.
HBM prices have risen steeply alongside mass production of HBM4, which will be used in Nvidia's next-generation AI accelerator, Vera Rubin. The average HBM export price jumped about 47% to $60.22 in the second quarter, when HBM4 shipments began, from $40.94 in the first quarter. As production of HBM4 — built by stacking DRAM dies — expands, commodity DRAM has also grown scarce. The average DRAM export price surged 24.3% to $22.90 in July.
Samsung Electronics (005930) and SK hynix (000660) are accelerating plans to expand supply, converting production lines and seeking new manufacturing sites to meet swelling memory demand. Samsung is reviewing a plan to convert a foundry line at its Pyeongtaek campus into a memory production facility.
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, attending a meeting of Korea-Japan chamber of commerce leaders in Sendai, Japan, said the same day that "SK hynix is considering building a semiconductor plant in Japan" to expand capacity. SK is also reviewed to be weighing acquisitions of Japanese semiconductor materials, parts and equipment makers.
"Semiconductors are being exported as soon as they are produced," said Do Won-bin, a senior researcher at the Korea International Trade Association. "Because production capacity cannot be increased quickly, unit prices have no choice but to rise for the time being."
