Got DRAM? If not, you’d best stock up, because prices are soaring and industry experts predict they’ll keep climbing in coming months.

A report issued this week by iSuppli, tech industry analysts, the average price of DRAM rose by 16%  in the last  quarter of 2009. That amounted to a 21% bump in bit shipments that boosted the DRAM industry to $8.5 billion in fourth quarter sales.

What’s ahead? Worldwide DRAM revenue is expected to reach $31.9 billion in 2010. That’s a whopping 40.7%  increase over last year, when  an estimated  $22.7 billion worth of memory was sold.

Overall, 2009 DRAM revenue slipped 3.9%.

What’s responsible for the spiking DRAM prices? Shortages reported by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are the likely reason.

When consumers and businesses cut back on buying new equipment during the downturn, memory suppliers cut back their production as well — creating something of a shortage.

To make up for their lost revenue, it’s likely chip makers  hiked their prices at the same time. Less demand, less supply and a bigger price tag.

For more information, visit iSuppli’s Web site.

Tags: DRAM, hike, memory, price