<p>US almond prices have remained firm in these early stages of 2014 due to reports of water shortages in California and anticipated strong shipment numbers for December.In a January 6 report Dutch company QFN Trading & Agency noted that the situation on the water supply had often been used in the past by California to influence the market before the start of bloom in February. However, it was noticeable that this season the information on water shortages was being circulated from all over California. Some sources were stating that there was no snow in the mountains to melt in the spring and no rains were expected to come from the ocean.<br></p>