Prof André Jooste has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), further strengthening leadership across South Africa’s agricultural sector.

The NAMC plays a central role in ensuring that agricultural markets function efficiently, fairly, and in a manner that supports both producers and consumers. Established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (1996), the Council is responsible for monitoring market performance, reviewing regulatory measures, and advising the Minister of Agriculture. It also oversees statutory levies, which are widely used across agricultural industries to fund research, transformation, and market development initiatives.

Beyond its regulatory and oversight functions, the NAMC provides strategic advice on agricultural marketing policy, ensuring alignment with national economic and development priorities while taking into account global market dynamics. Its work is guided by key objectives that include improving market access, enhancing marketing efficiency, increasing export earnings, and supporting the long-term viability of the agricultural sector. Through this mandate, the NAMC contributes to a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural environment that supports food security and economic growth.

Prof Jooste’s appointment to the NAMC is complemented by his role as Chairperson of both the Maize Forum (MF) and Wheat Forum (WF), including their respective Steering Committees since 2024. The Maize Forum serves as a voluntary and inclusive platform representing stakeholders across the maize value chain, providing a structured mechanism for engagement, alignment on strategic issues, and advisory input to institutions such as the Maize Trust (MT), the NAMC, and relevant government departments.

Similarly, the Wheat Forum provides a coordinated platform for stakeholder engagement within the wheat industry and plays an important support role to the South African Winter Cereal Industry Agency (SAWCIA). Through this function, the WF helps ensure that industry perspectives are effectively aligned and communicated, particularly on matters related to research, market development, and long-term sustainability.

Together, the MF and WF strengthen coordination across the grain sector by enabling inclusive dialogue and strategic alignment between industry and policymakers. This integrated leadership approach enhances the sector’s ability to respond to challenges, support informed decision-making, and promote a more resilient and competitive agricultural industry in South Africa.