PCB Market Update
Pricing, Supply & Planning Ahead - May 2026
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​We are continuing to see changing conditions across the PCB supply chain, with pricing, lead times, and availability all becoming less predictable. A combination of global factors is creating a more reactive market, where costs and timelines can shift more quickly than in previous years. This makes forward planning increasingly important to maintain continuity of supply and avoid last-minute price pressure. We are working closely with our partners to manage these changes and support our customers wherever possible.
We strongly recommend considering Hi Spec’s stock holding solutions, including 12-month call-off or consignment arrangements, to help provide greater stability. Further details are outlined below, or please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
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Rising Raw Material Costs
​​PCB manufacturing costs continue to increase due to sustained pressure on key raw materials. Copper, gold, laminates, and essential process chemicals have all seen notable price rises over recent months. These materials are fundamental to PCB production, so even small increases have a direct impact on overall pricing.
Market conditions remain unpredictable, with suppliers adjusting prices more frequently than usual. As a result, we expect ongoing cost volatility in the short to medium term.
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Recent industry data highlights the scale of these increases. Copper foil prices have risen by around 30–35%, while prepreg and laminate materials have increasedby approximately 15–40% depending on grade and specification. High Tg and specialist materials are particularly affected due to higher resin content and more complex manufacturing processes.
These increases at the material level feed directly into PCB pricing, especially on multilayer and higher-specification builds.
Freight & Logistics Pressures
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Global shipping and logistics costs remain elevated, driven by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Air freight in particular has become more expensive and less predictable, with capacity tightening at short notice.
Rising jet fuel costs are heavily impacting air freight costs, which have increased by around 40–50% over recent periods. As fuel is a major cost component, these increases are quickly passed on through surcharges.
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Sea freight continues to face disruption in key routes, adding further pressure to lead times and costs. These factors combine to create a more complex and less stable supply chain environment.
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Freight markets remain highly reactive, with pricing and capacity often changing with little warning. This creates additional uncertainty for time-sensitive orders and can place pressure on both budgets and delivery schedules.
Hi Spec Stock Holding Solutions
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Hi Spec offers flexible stock holding options, including 12-month call-off and consignment arrangements, to help manage cost and supply risk. Scheduled orders and forward planning allow pricing to be secured in advance, reducing exposure to ongoing market increases.
Once stock has been received, we can supply on a next-day basis or release material in line with your requirements. This ensures availability when you need it, without the need to hold excess stock on site.
Both call-off and consignment solutions support improved cash flow by spreading usage over time, while maintaining flexibility to match demand.
Hi Spec’s consignment stock arrangements have been used successfully for many years by customers of all sizes, helping them manage inventory more effectively while maintaining continuity of supply.
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Planning Ahead
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Placing orders earlier where possible can help reduce the impact of ongoing market volatility.
Forward planning allows us to secure materials and production capacity more effectively, reducing the risk of price increases or delays.
It also provides greater flexibility in scheduling and logistics. Customers who plan ahead are better positioned to maintain continuity of supply. Where possible, we encourage discussing upcoming requirements in advance.
Due to rapid fluctuations in raw material and freight costs, quote validity periods are being reduced across the industry.
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Prices that were previously stable for weeks can now change within days. This means we are often only able to hold quotations for shorter periods than usual. While we always aim to honour pricing where possible, external cost movements can make this difficult. We recommend reviewing and placing orders promptly once quotations are received.
