Sep 14, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. The directors of Carter Holt Harvey Limited advise that following a review of the company’s 2005 forecast, the price recovery in some of the company’s key products that had been expected in the third quarter has not materialized. Prices for bleached kraft pulp are $480 per tonne, kraft linerboard prices are currently at $425 per tonne, and average Australian timber realizations are approximately AUD$350 ($270) per cubic meter. These prices are at low points for the year. The impact of a continuation of prices and foreign exchange rates at or around current levels for the rest of the year implies that earnings may be down by approximately NZD25-30 million ($17.7-21.2) versus the company’s previous forecast of NZD283 million ($200.1 million). In addition, following the closing of the announced forest sale, approximately NZD5 million ($3.5 million) of earnings will be lost in the fourth quarter. The company is working urgently on additional plans to mitigate the impact of these adverse price movements. The current market dynamics have proven difficult to predict and because of this uncertainty and the takeover process, the directors have decided that it is important to keep the market fully informed. Carter Holt Harvey is Australasia's leading forest products company, with significant interests in wood products, pulp, paper and packaging, supported by forests.