July 30 (Reuters) - Kraft Heinz ( KHC ) on Wednesday

posted a smaller-than-expected drop in sales for the second

quarter, helped by resilient demand for its frozen meat cuts and

ready-to-eat meals in the United States as consumers tried to

stretch their household budgets.

A mix of sticky inflation and heightened economic

uncertainty has forced people to cook more affordable meals at

home, helping demand for some of Kraft Heinz's ( KHC ) products such as

its frozen meals, chilled meats and other pantry staples.

The Jello maker has also raised prices for some of its

products such as coffee and meats to offset the higher costs of

those commodities.

The company's shares rose about 1% in premarket trading.

They have fallen about 7% so far this year.

Its quarterly net sales fell 1.9% to $6.35 billion, compared

with analysts' average estimate of a 3.35% fall to $6.26

billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika

Syamnath)