The Krishnapatnam Port region in the Nellore district is slowly emerging as a hub for edible oil refineries with eight firms setting up refineries at Pantapalem in Muthukur mandal, close to the port. Six more companies have expressed interest to set up their plants near the port.

The port has laid a pipeline to the area where the units are located, to unload crude palm oil directly from the ships. Proximity of the port to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and availability of land in the area has been attracting industrialists to set up their units in the region.

Gemini Edible Oils, Saraiwala Industries Pvt Ltd, Krishnapatnam Oil and Fats Pvt Ltd, Emami Biotech Pvt Ltd and South India Fats and Oils Pvt Ltd have started operations among eight units established already at Pantapalem. The other three units are expected to start operations this year.