In 1996 Parliament passed the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (Act No. 47 of 1996). This new act replaces the Marketing Act of 1968 and brings about deregulation in the South African agricultural industry.

In order to implement the provisions of the Act, the NAMC was established in January 1997.

The NAMC is a statutory body established in terms of the Act to advise the Minister of Agriculture and the South African Agriculture Industry on matters relating to the marketing of agricultural products.