This report presents the results of an ACIAR-funded research project that provides a comparative analysis of the beef supply chain through benchmarking to inform future activities in the beef sector. It covers the supply chain of beef products from on-farm cattle production to the consumer in four regions of eastern Indonesia (East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and East Java) and Jakarta. The research found there is a strong market demand for beef, which drives prices up and in some areas strips the productive basis where herd and productivity growth cannot keep pace with demand. Beef prices, sometimes costs and in most cases profitability are high throughout the supply chain. The report makes several recommendations, among them to target policies and projects towards incentives and driving forces, and to focus on the development of local markets instead of Jakarta. It further suggests the improvement of herd, production and trade statistics and the establishment of a market information system, as well as creation of a national beef forum as a platform for professional exchange of information, expertise and technologies.