The paper presents results from an international survey of snap bean production in developing countries. To assess the economic potential of snap beans, production and marketing constraints were first identified. Survey results show that labour, disease and insect susceptibility of commonly used cultivars, poor seed quality and associated distribution problems, and the high risk from fluctuating producer prices are the major constraining factors. Snap bean production in developing countries amounts to currently about 4.5 million mt, with China producing 3.0-3.5 million mt of that amount. Demand growth estimates show that snap bean demand will have increased by 45% by the year 2000. Unavoidable demand growth, from population and urbanization effects represent 31% demand growth. The latter is equally shared by China and the rest of the developing world (RODW). Preliminary results from Colombia are presented, suggesting yield potential of more than 30% from integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and improved varieties. These components of technology will be important in increasing yields to satisfy growing world demand and to improve small farmers income.