To provide a hydrophobic cellulose powder having sufficient hydrophobicity and excellent compatibility with oil; and to provide a method for producing the powder.

A cellulose powder is surface-coated with a compound represented by general formula (1): R1CH2CH2Si(OR2)3 (1) (wherein, R1 is a ≥1C saturated hydrocarbon group or a ≥1C saturated fluorocarbon group; and R2 is a ≥1C saturated hydrocarbon group); or (2):(R3COO)3Ti(OR4) (2) (wherein, R3 is a ≥4C saturated hydrocarbon group; and R4 is a ≥1C saturated hydrocarbon group). A silane reaction or a titanate reaction is utilized when coating the surface of the cellulose powder with the compound represented by general formula (1) or (2), and an aqueous solution of a metal chloride is added at the silane reaction or the titanate reaction as a catalyst.