Abstract: A dry fibrous product made from modified cellulose, having improved properties of absorption and water and physiological liquid retention, as well as its production procedure. The cellulose contained in a cellulose paste is activated, acrylonitrile is grafted to the cellulose while its dry content is sufficient to obtain a grafting rate of about 200%; the grafted cellulose paste is hydrolyzed with an alkali; the product is washed with water until a state of maximum expansion is reached; the product is acidified to a pH which brings it to a state of minimum expansion after the water is removed; the product is converted to its salt form in the presence of a water-miscible liquid, and under an agitation which is sufficient to prevent the clustering of the fibers; this is effected so that the quantity of water, expressed by volume, does not exceed about 10% of the liquid phase; the product is dried.