Shortages in the supply of DRAM chips triggered by a fire at the Wuxi plant of SK Hynix are expected to widen in October, according to industry sources, adding that the damaged plant will not be able to restore full production until the first quarter of 2014.

　　SK Hynix has said the company expects to resume production at its fire-hit memory fab sometime in October. Despite the company statement, speculation has surfaced that the already tight DRAM supply will be further squeezed, the sources indicated.

　　PC OEMs holding inventories of more than one month have raised concerns that they might face a tight supply situation later in 2013, the sources noted. Those which hold low levels of DRAM inventory, such as Hewlett-Packard (HP), have already approached chipmakers and module firms to ensure a steady supply, the sources said.

　　DRAM contract prices for September are expected to rally more than 20%, the sources said. Official contract quotes have not been released.