The National Chamber of Milling (NCM)

The National Chamber of Milling (NCM) is a non-profit organisation representing the South African wheat and maize milling industry for human consumption. The industry prides itself with a role it plays in the society by ensuring adequate supply of high quality, nutritious and safe basic foodstuff, thereby contributing significantly towards national Food Security imperatives.

Membership is voluntary and currently comprised of ordinary members actively and directly involved in commercial wheat and white maize milling. Associate members, which mainly comprise industry suppliers, also play an important part in the Association. These include businesses such as plant and equipment manufacturers, fortification mix suppliers, grain storage and traders, financiers, local and international partners, packaging suppliers, etc.

NCM is governed by the Board of Directors from member companies nominated and appointed at the AGM every year. The Chairperson and Vice are also elected and appointed every year, normally for a term or two for continuity. The Committee structures (Technical & Regulatory Affairs, Procurement & Trade as well as Training) are appointed to address specific areas of activity and are the main mechanism to drive industry specific issues of members’ interest.

NCM has established itself as a reputable industry mouth-piece that addresses members’ best interests and needs by:

• Promoting and advancing members’ views with government policy makers and regulators, media as well as other relevant structures.
• Member representations in consultation or collaborations with other industry structures and links in the supply chain.
• Proving institutional capacity with respect to trade and tariffs policies as well as technical and regulatory frameworks that directly affect the milling industry’s environment.
• Facilitating reliable, sustainable and affordable supplies of raw materials (maize and wheat) as well as other essential production inputs in the production of basic foodstuffs.
• Enhancing skills base within the industry through accredited training program of benefit to the milling industry.
• Co-ordinating and investing in technical and regulatory collaboration in the interests of the milling industry and its customers, especially with regard to food safety.
• Promoting quality and safety benefits of maize meal and wheat flour.
• Providing industry’s first point of contact for government, public or press seeking information regarding maize and wheat milling.
• Providing suitable environment for discussion of relevant and legitimate topics, both within the industry and with other relevant organisations.
• Anticipating industry threats and developing mechanisms to address those.