Weaker demand coupled to production cutbacks are expected to result in NAND flash bit growth of 81% in 2009, according to revised figures from DRAMeXchange. This is a significant drop compared to its 2008 estimated bit growth of 121%. DRAMeXchange also expects NAND flash production to decline by approximately 10% Q-on-Q in 1Q09.
According to DRAMeXchange, the production reductions and lower inventory levels expected in the coming months should result in prices rebounding and becoming more stable.
However, major markets for NAND flash memory such as mobile phones are set to decline slightly in 2009 to 1.16 billion units, a 5.4% decrease compared to 2008.