**[Citrini's Perspective: AI Server Demand Drives Extreme Divergence in MLCC Lead Times, High-End Product Deliveries Extend to 10 Months]** BlockBeats News, August 18 – Citrini analyst Jukan pointed out that MLCC (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor) delivery cycles are experiencing severe divergence due to differences in product specifications. The lead time for general-purpose products remains stable at 14 to 18 weeks (approximately 3.5 to 4.5 months), while high-capacitance and high-voltage products are around 4 to 5 months. However, high-end products used in AI servers have entered a state of "severe supply shortage." The server-grade MLCC lead time for Murata and Samsung Electro-Mechanics exceeds 20 weeks (over 5 months). For some high-capacitance products from Samsung Electro-Mechanics, the average lead time is approximately 40 weeks, while Murata's high-capacitance products above 1 microfarad saw their July lead time increase from 24 weeks in June to 30 weeks. In some channels, quotes have even reached 36 weeks, nearing 10 months. This extreme divergence is expected to persist until the second half of 2026. The core driver of this divergence is the strong demand from AI servers and data centers—AI servers require 5 to 13 times the number of high-capacitance, miniaturized, and highly reliable MLCCs compared to traditional servers. New capacity expansion has been delayed from Q4 2026 to 2027, making it difficult to alleviate the supply-demand imbalance in the short term. Major manufacturers are simultaneously raising prices and increasing long-term supply agreements. Lead times exceeding 5 months, or even approaching a year, not only indicate that manufacturers are unable to quickly ramp up supply in the short term but also mark the beginning of enhanced pricing power and substantial improvement in profitability driven by high-value product portfolios. The AI bottleneck is spreading from GPUs and memory to the smallest components on the board. [Original Link]