(Reuters) - Kraft Heinz ( KHC ) on Wednesday posted a steeper-than-expected fall in quarterly revenue as demand stayed weak for its branded meal kits and snacks with consumers trading down to cheaper, private-label alternatives.

Shares of the Jell-O maker fell more than 2% before the bell as it also forecast annual organic net sales to be at the low end of its earlier range of flat to down 2% from last year.

Kraft Heinz ( KHC ) has struggled to hold on to market share as value-seeking consumers cut back spending on packaged food items such as Lunchables, Capri Sun and Mac & Cheese, following price hikes over the last few years.

It also said 2024 adjusted earnings per share was now expected to be at the low end of its prior range of $3.01 to $3.07.

The packaged food giant's net sales fell 2.8% to $6.38 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $6.42 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)