Sakata's full-scale international expansion had started in 1977. With the establishment of SAI San Francisco and Sakata went on to set up research, production and sales bases in five locations in the US. In 1990 the Sakata Seed Europe (SEB) was established. In 1991, Sakata Seed Chile (SCH) was founded, followed in 1996 by Sakata Seed France (SFR) in Nimes. In April 1996, Sakata acquired Samuel Yates Ltd.(a subsidiary of the Australian Company Arthur Yates), located near Manchester, England.