ProGrade to Increase Memory Card Prices

credits: ProGrade

The ongoing global shortage of memory chips is starting to spill over into areas that directly affect photographers and videographers. A big part of the problem is the massive demand coming from AI data centres, which are soaking up flash memory and pushing prices higher across the industry. According to a press release from ProGrade Digital’s Japanese operation, that pressure is now translating into higher prices for memory cards and SSDs, Japan being the first market to see official changes.

ProGrade Digital Japan says it will raise regular prices on its Amazon.co.jp store starting January 8, 2026. The company cites a sharp rise in flash memory costs, along with a currency adjustment tied to the weaker yen. Going forward, prices will be calculated using an exchange rate of 155 yen to the dollar instead of 150. A detailed price list shows that the increases aren’t uniform. Products without built-in storage, like the PG20 Pro Hub, are only seeing small bumps, while some V60 Gold SDXC cards are reportedly doubling in price. CFexpress Type A and Type B cards are also affected, with increases generally landing somewhere between 20 and 60 percent.

The company expects supply issues in the memory market to continue through 2026, which likely means ongoing price swings. For now, these increases are limited to Japan, and there is no confirmation yet that the same hikes will appear in Europe, the US or other regions. Still, the broader trend is hard to ignore. Reports last month indicated that SanDisk raised NAND flash contract prices by about 50 percent, prompting other memory makers to pause shipments and rethink their strategies. With memory already making up a big chunk of the cost of cameras, phones, and computers, it is something us creatives will probably need to keep an eye on in the year ahead.