A crisis is currently affecting the supply of semiconductors and, more broadly, the production of devices with electronic components. Many sectors are affected, such as household appliances, the automotive industry and the video game industry. We take stock. Shortage of electronic components: what are we talking about? The shortage of electronic components is an industrial crisis that is impacting the whole world today. It concerns semiconductors, these electronic chips allowing technologies to transmit, store and process information. Since 2020, manufacturers have been unable to keep up with demand . These components are nevertheless essential to many sectors, starting with the automotive sector, electronic devices, bank cards and even video games. Faced with this, production delays are accumulating and brands are forced to revise their production forecasts downwards. 

The reasons for this global shortage This semiconductor deficiency is multifactorial. The health crisis linked to Covid-19 is a first element of explanation . During the pandemic and the confinements, the demand for electronic objects (computers, tablets, screens, smartphones, televisions, game consoles, etc.) increased sharply even though the production system was idling in all countries COUNTRY EMAIL LIST of the globe. Telework has COUNTRY EMAIL LIST also contributed to this increase in demand, as end consumers necessarily need to be better equipped. Alongside this, the rapid recovery of the economy surprised manufacturers , who again found it difficult to meet demand. Trade restrictions imposed on China by the US government have also not been without effect, not to mention the obstruction of the Suez Canal caused by the container ship Ever Given.



 As a reminder the latter ran aground in March 2021, causing the temporary closure of certain ports and causing additional difficulties in the delivery of electronic products. Finally, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 could have an additional impact on the shortage of semiconductors. Access to certain materials essential for the production of chips is disrupted, which could lead to higher prices. A crisis that is expected to continue If the forecasts concerning this shortage were initially optimistic, the situation seems to have changed. Indeed, most experts believe that it will certainly be necessary to wait several quarters, or even more than a year, before hoping for a gradual return to normal. In other words, the crisis is likely to continue until 2023.