Japan’s exports declined by the most since February 2021 in September, sapping momentum from the country’s economic recovery as global demand weakened.

Exports declined 1.7% from a year ago, led by cars, mineral fuels and construction machinery and slipping to negative growth for the first time since November last year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday. The reading missed economists’ forecast of a 0.9% gain.

Imports rose 2.1%, led by electronic calculators and semiconductor parts, and slightly missing the consensus estimate of a 2.8% gain, while the trade deficit narrowed to ¥294.3 billion ($2 billion).