U.S. steel exports recorded a late-summer boost, but figures for 2009 remain well below 2008 levels due in large part to the impact of the global economic crisis.

Still, there was evidence in August export figures from the American Institute for International Steel (AIIS), Washington, that the impact of demand from developing countries such as the Dominican Republic, India, Brazil and Russia, among others, was beginning to be felt again.

U.S. steel exports totaled 800,091 tons in August, up 13.1 percent from 707,319 tons the previous month but still 40 percent below the more than 1.3 million tons exported in August 2008, the...