The move was announced by Stormont's Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) Minister Arlene Foster.
She said Northern Ireland's agri-food industry was "hugely important", with almost 100,000 jobs including farming, fishing, retail and distribution.
The marketing body will be developed by the Agri-Food Strategy Board (AFSB).
Ms Foster said: "The establishment of a new industry-led agri-food marketing body, which would be similar to the already successful Scotland Food and Drink, will provide a significant and exciting opportunity for the Northern Ireland agri-food industry to work together for the benefit of the entire sector.
"This body will play a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership and direction for the marketing activities of both government and private sector organisations."
Stormont's Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the announcement.
"Agri-food is one of the key sectors in delivering export-led economic growth for the north," she said.
She said industry representatives had made it clear that there was "a need for better coordination of current marketing activities" in Northern Ireland.
However, Ms O'Neill added that while the new body was "clearly a positive step", the plans could have "implications for the work of other organisations", including her own department.
She said she looked forward to discussing the plans with AFSB.

The 79-year-old from Old Colwyn, Conwy County was jailed for 12 years for historical child sex abuse on Friday.
Mike Mackey, from the Manchester-based firm Burton Copeland, said they will be lodging an application to seek leave to appeal the conviction within the next 10 days.
Mr Mackey said they were currently preparing the documents.
Anglesea, a former North Wales Police superintendent, was convicted of one charge of indecent assault against one boy and three indecent assaults against another after a six week trial at at Mold Crown Court.
The offences took place between 1982 and 1987, when both boys were 14 or 15.
Meanwhile, a National Crime Agency spokesman said "financial matters" relating to Anglesea were "currently being examined under the Proceeds of Crime Act".
A new marketing body is to be set up to promote Northern Ireland's food and drinks industry, in a bid to grow the agri-food sector and create more jobs.
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The solicitor representing paedophile Gordon Anglesea has confirmed they will be appealing his conviction.