In this article, Mahendri et al. describe and analyse the movement of beef cattle from small-scale producers to consumers in East Java, the province with the highest share of cattle population in Indonesia and a large proportion of beef consumers. Research was carried out in five districts in 2010-11, involving small-scale producers, cattle growers, traders, butchers, and representatives from traditional district markets, slaughterhouses and supermarkets. The findings show that the beef marketing chain from small-scale producers to consumers in East Java is reasonably competitive and efficient, with many actors at each stage. The authors conclude that the facilitating role of Government in support of infrastructure (roads, market facilities and slaughterhouses) is important, in addition to regulation of meat quality, however further intervention in the market is probably not warranted. Commercial feedlots, inter-provincial trade and port were not included in this research. The authors acknowledge that an understanding of the marketing system and its constraints will be an important aspect of ongoing research into improving the productivity and livelihoods of small-scale producers.