While floods in Thailand in 2011 may not mean much to some, the resulting price hikes of HDDs sure meant a lot. However, Digitimes reports that global production capacity of HDDs will be almost restored to pre-flood levels in 2012.

Namely, the capacity is expected to hit 140-145 million units in Q1 of 2012. This amounts to 80 percent of the production capacity before the floods.

Apparently, HDD companies sold out their stock in December 2011 and January 2012. Some companies, such as Hitachi and Seagate, have not been that affected, and are said to have done much better in restoring their production lines.

It is also said that compared to pre-flood prices, HDD prices will rise by 30-40 percent by the end of 2012. This is apparently down to increased costs of production materials.

More here.