March 6 (Reuters) - Campbell Soup ( CPB ) topped market

expectations for quarterly sales and profit on Wednesday and

stuck to its annual forecasts, helped by steady demand for

branded ready-to-eat meals, snacks and canned soups.

Prices across Campbell's products rose 1% while overall

volumes dipped 2% during the reported quarter, as holiday

promotions encouraged shoppers to indulge in its Goldfish

crackers and Pepperidge Farm cookies.

The pace of price increases has slowed from last year's

mid-double-digit rise, as most food companies try to limit

pricing to cope with subdued demand.

Packaged foods peers Kraft Heinz ( KHC ), Mondelez ( MDLZ ),

McCormick ( MKC ), Hershey and PepsiCo ( PEP ) have all

flagged softer volume growth in their latest quarterly results.

Still, benefits from prior price hikes and easing supply

chains helped Campbell's gross profit margin climb 31.6%, from

last year's 30.5%.

The company, which is set to close its buyout of Rao's sauce

maker Sovos Brands ( SOVO ) next week, posted second-quarter net sales of

$2.5 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $2.44

billion, according to LSEG data.

It logged adjusted earnings of 80 cents per share, better

than the 77 cents analysts were expecting.

The New Jersey-based firm reaffirmed its fiscal-year 2024

target for net sales and earnings for the second time in a row.