BERLIN (AP) — German factory orders plunged unexpectedly in March as demand slumped both at home and abroad, particularly from other nations using the euro, and the government cautioned the crisis in Ukraine could contribute to further weakness.

The economy ministry said Wednesday that industrial orders dropped 2.8 percent over February, the largest month-on-month fall since November 2012. Economists had predicted a 0.3 percent rise, following an upwardly revised 0.9 percent gain in February.