Arabica coffee beans are what keep the cafes around Australia churning out $3 coffees, but that coffee could soon come with an extra jolt.

Wholesale coffee prices are higher now than ever before. And while the industry is absorbing the extra cost for now, consumers are being warned of a price shock to come.

Rabobank senior analyst Wayne Gordon says the price of coffee beans has hit a 12-year high on the New York Futures Exchange because of heavy rainfall in Brazil and surrounding countries.

"Of course that's tightened up supply and that's what's given the market that little bit of jump," he said.