Mexico has become the first country in the world to approve a commercially registered RNA-based fungicide, a regulatory milestone that could reshape how farmers protect crops from fungal disease.

The product, called Oifirax, was developed by GreenLight Biosciences and targets powdery mildew — a pervasive fungus that devastates grape vines, strawberries, and cucurbits worldwide. Unlike conventional fungicides, which rely on synthetic chemicals that can linger in soil and water, Oifirax uses double-stranded RNA molecules to silence essential genes in the fungus, shutting down its ability to survive without affecting other organisms.

Mexico's Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) granted the sanitary registration in August 2026 after a nine-month review, according to ScienceInsider. The approval covers use on table grapes and wine grapes in Mexico, with plans to expand to avocados, berries, and other high-value crops.

The technology works by spraying RNA molecules onto plant surfaces. When the fungus absorbs them, the RNA triggers a natural cellular process called RNA interference that switches off genes the pathogen needs to grow. The RNA degrades within days, leaving no persistent chemical residue.

GreenLight Biosciences has committed up to $100 million to build a production facility in the Mexico City area, creating an estimated 500 direct jobs. The company says Mexico was chosen partly because of its fast-tracked regulatory pathway for agricultural biotechnology and partly because powdery mildew causes significant economic losses in the countrys wine and avocado industries.

The approval positions Mexico as a potential leader in agricultural RNA technology — a field that has been racing toward commercialization for more than a decade. Researchers have long known that RNA interference could be harnessed for pest control, but delivering the molecules effectively in outdoor field conditions has been a persistent engineering challenge.

GreenLight says its formulation stabilizes the RNA molecules long enough for the fungus to absorb them, even under variable weather conditions. The company has also submitted regulatory dossiers in the United States, the European Union, and Brazil, where similar approvals could follow within the next two years.

Environmental advocates have cautiously welcomed the news. RNA-based pesticides operate through a highly specific mechanism — the RNA sequences are designed to match only the target organisms genome, reducing the risk of harm to beneficial insects, pollinators, and soil microbiomes. However, some researchers caution that long-term ecological effects of repeated RNA application in open environments still need to be studied.

The approval comes at a time when global agriculture is under pressure to reduce its dependence on synthetic chemical pesticides, many of which are facing tighter regulations and growing pest resistance. RNA-based crop protection could offer a bridge between conventional farming and more ecologically sustainable approaches, though scaling the technology to meet global demand remains a significant challenge.

For Mexico, the decision carries symbolic weight as well. The country is the worlds largest exporter of avocados and a major wine producer, both sectors where fungal diseases represent existential economic threats. A locally produced, environmentally benign fungicide could provide a competitive edge while addressing one of agricultures most stubborn problems.

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