May 1, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Global silicon wafer shipments totaled 2.896 billion square inches in the first quarter of 2025, up 2.2% from a year earlier but down 9.0% from the previous quarter, according to SEMI’s Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG). The quarter-over-quarter decline reflects seasonal demand softness and ongoing inventory corrections across the semiconductor supply chain.

While shipments of 300mm wafers posted a 6% year-on-year gain, volumes for 200mm and smaller wafers weakened, according to SMG Chair and GlobalWafers Vice President C.S. Lee. “Despite the increase in 300mm demand, overall shipments slowed due to persistent softness in legacy equipment demand and continued inventory adjustments,” Lee said.

Silicon wafers are the foundational substrate for nearly all semiconductor devices and are essential to IC fabrication. Shipment trends are widely viewed as a key indicator of foundry and IDM utilization levels.

The quarterly drop in wafer shipments highlights lingering caution among chipmakers, as the industry continues to balance capacity planning with end-market demand. The dominance of 300mm wafers, which support advanced logic, automotive, and AI applications, remains a key trend as the sector transitions toward more sophisticated nodes.