Based in Freiburg, Germany, Life Foods, in business over 25 years with its Taifun brand of soy and other vegan products, has seen growth of over 30 percent in the last three years. The company has collaborated with the University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim and the regional seed breeding institute Landessaatzuchtanstalt Eckartsweier to develop varieties of soy that mature faster for use in the cooler regions of East Germany and Bavaria. To make the cut for use in tofu production, soy beans must be about 45 percent protein, and have a slightly sweet taste and pleasant texture. Developing a successful variety takes at least six years. Currently, the company uses seed from Canada, and contracts with growers in Germany, Austria and France, with a 1400 hectares in Europe for 2013. Nevertheless. 20 percent of their soy is imported form Canada and Brazil. International demand for their products is increasing as well.  France, Italy, Britain, Switzerland and Spain are Life Foods top international markets.