Meet the Farm491 member – CRM AgriCommodities
Read our five-minute Q&A with Farm491 member James Bolesworth, founder and managing director of CRM AgriCommodities, to find out more about his business and his experience as a Farm491 member.
Tell us about CRM AgriCommodities
CRM AgriCommodities is an independent agricultural market analysis and forecasting business specialising in grains, oilseeds, vegetable oils and broader commodity markets.
We work with farmers, agribusinesses, processors, traders and financial institutions, helping them make better commercial decisions through data-driven market intelligence, price forecasting and risk management strategies.
Agricultural markets have become increasingly volatile and globally interconnected, with weather events, geopolitics, macroeconomics and fund activity all influencing prices. Our role is to simplify that complexity and provide clear, actionable insight that helps businesses manage risk and improve profitability.
Alongside our subscription analysis services, we also provide consulting, strategic market advice, presentations, webinars and bespoke research projects. Over recent years, we have continued investing heavily in technology, forecasting models, data visualisation and digital delivery to modernise how agricultural market intelligence is delivered.
Today, our subscribers and clients span the UK and international markets, ranging from growers and cooperatives through to global food and commodity businesses.
Tell us about yourself
After completing an International Agribusiness degree during which my dissertation focused on corn and ethanol markets, I worked in the European commodities sector where I continued to build my knowledge about markets.
In 2014, I founded CRM AgriCommodities after recognising a gap in the agricultural sector for more independent, commercially-focused market analysis.
My background combines agriculture, commodity markets and financial markets, and I have always been passionate about helping businesses make more informed decisions in volatile markets.
Agriculture is increasingly affected by global events – from weather extremes and geopolitics to energy prices and macroeconomic trends – and I enjoy translating those complex drivers into practical, commercially-relevant advice for our clients.
One of the most rewarding parts of the business is building a team and company culture around innovation, curiosity and independent thinking, while also helping modernise how information is communicated within agriculture.
What were your biggest achievements of the past year?
The past year has been transformational for the business.
One of our proudest achievements was being recognised in the 2026 FocusEconomics Analyst Forecast Awards, where CRM AgriCommodities was ranked among leading global forecasting institutions. We were named the world’s top forecaster for corn prices and achieved second place overall in the commodities forecasting rankings.
This recognition was particularly meaningful given the scale of contributors involved globally, including major international banks and research institutions.
We have also invested significantly in growing the business operationally and digitally. This has included launching a completely new website platform, expanding our subscription services, developing new data products and dashboards, and continuing to grow our audience across newsletters, video and social media.
Most importantly, we have continued helping clients navigate one of the most volatile and fast-moving agricultural market environments in recent history.
What were your biggest challenges of the past year?
Like many businesses operating in fast-moving sectors, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing rapid growth with maintaining quality and consistency.
Agricultural commodity markets have become increasingly reactive to geopolitical events, weather volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty, meaning our clients expect fast, accurate and commercially relevant analysis around the clock.
At the same time, scaling a specialist information business requires continuous investment in people, systems and technology while ensuring the service remains highly personalised and trusted.
What does working with Farm491 as a member bring to your business?
Farm491 provides a valuable environment that connects innovation, technology and agriculture in a practical and collaborative way.
Being part of the Farm491 community has enabled us to engage with a wide range of forward-thinking businesses and individuals who are helping shape the future of agriculture and food systems.
As a growing business, having access to a network that understands both agriculture and innovation is hugely beneficial. It provides opportunities for collaboration, idea sharing and visibility within a wider ecosystem of agri-tech and rural enterprise businesses.
Farm491’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship aligns strongly with our own ambitions as we continue to modernise agricultural market intelligence and develop new digital services for the sector.
To find out more about CRM AgriCommodities, visit its website here.