Korean semi production has worst month since 2009

Author: EIS Release Date: Jan 9, 2023

Korean semiconductor production in November shrank for a fourth straight month, falling 15% from a year earlier for the largest drop since 2009, according to Statistics Korea.

 

The latest output figures showed chip production was also down 11% on a month-over-month basis, while semiconductor inventories climbed 20% from a year earlier in November, picking up from 12.9% in the previous month, says Statistics Korea.

 

The double-digit increases in inventories since October last year underscore a global oversupply of memory chips in which Korea leads production.

 

Chipmakers are recalibrating their investment plans as they brace for a drop in demand for their products both at home and abroad.

 

DRAM supply is likely to outweigh demand for months to come.