April 26 (Reuters) - Beer can maker Ball Corp missed quarterly sales expectations on Friday, hit by lagging demand for its beverage cans as customers become more frugal in their spending.

The world's largest supplier of beer cans is navigating a complex economic landscape, as shoppers adjust their spending habits and prioritize essentials over discretionary goods.

The convergence of inflationary pressures on consumers and companies' shifting pricing actions have led to significant volatility in the market.

In key markets such as the U.S. and Europe, elevated retail prices have resulted in decreased consumer spending, posing significant challenges for Ball Corp.

Its quarterly net sales fell 3.5% to $2.87 billion. Analysts had expected $3.23 billion, according to LSEG data.

The beverage sector remains under pressure as budget-constrained consumers have reduced consumption of specialty beverages and bottled beer, which tend to be more packaging intensive.

However, Ball Corp earned comparable profit of 68 cents per diluted share in the three months ended March 31, exceeding LSEG estimates of 56 cents per share. (Reporting by Annett Mary Manoj in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla Nissi)