Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC), a Wuhan-based chipmaker, has entered the world’s top three NAND flash memory suppliers by volume for the first time, according to data from Counterpoint Research published on August 13, 2026.
In the second quarter of 2026, YMTC captured 14% of global NAND bit shipments—a measure of total storage capacity shipped rather than total chip units—narrowly overtaking Japan’s Kioxia. Samsung Electronics retained the global lead with a 25% market share, while SK Hynix, including its Solidigm subsidiary, held second place at 22%.
YMTC’s shipments increased 22% year on year and 5% quarter on quarter, driven by expanding supplies to domestic electronics manufacturers and increased production of its latest-generation 3D NAND architecture, Counterpoint Research said.
Despite this surge in shipment volume, YMTC ranked fifth globally in NAND revenue for the quarter, trailing behind US-based Micron Technology and Kioxia. This revenue gap is attributed to YMTC’s focus on lower-margin consumer products and a smaller presence in enterprise solid-state drives (eSSDs), which typically command higher prices.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for China’s semiconductor ambitions as the country strives to close the revenue gap with global competitors in high-value data-centre storage.
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