Hopes rise for first shipment of Ukraine grain on Monday

A grain shipment deal between Ukraine and Russia was brokered by the UN and Turkey over a week ago

A farmer reacts as he looks at his burning field caused by the fighting at the frontline in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine in July.

The first of the long-delayed grain shipments from one of Ukraine's Black Sea ports could start later on Monday, providing hope for the easing of surging global food prices and removing the threat of hunger in many countries.  

A grain shipment deal between Ukraine and Russia had been brokered by the UN and Turkey in Istanbul over a week ago, but no ships have since sailed.